The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation supported by Johnson County legislators that would expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
House Bill 1002, authored by State Rep. Chuck Goodrich, R-Noblesville, was sent to the Indiana Senate for further consideration on Feb. 22. State Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, and four others are co-authors of the bill.
The bill would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential, Davis said in a joint statement from the Johnson County House delegation.
“Our high school students need more opportunities to participate in work-based learning, apprenticeships and internships,” Davis said. “This bill would provide young Hoosiers these experiences that are key to determining career paths and developing skills for the 21st century workforce.”
Career Scholarship Accounts could be used by sophomores, juniors and seniors to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms to remove barriers to accessing these experiences, State Rep. Robb Greene, R-Shelbyville, said in the statement. The Indiana Department of Education would approve available courses and tracks, and accounts would be awarded $5,000 under the recently proposed House Republican budget, he said.
“It’s clear that we need more options for high school students to access quality job training so they can learn about career fields and build on their skills,” Greene said. “Those who are motivated to skill up and directly enter the workforce after school could really benefit from these scholarship accounts.”
The proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships, State Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville, said in the statement. It would also task the State Board of Education with re-examining high school diploma requirements in order to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule so they can pursue apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, work-based learning and credentials, he said.
“There’s really no substitute for having hands-on, work-based experience when you apply for a job,” Haggard said. “We want to give all students a pathway to success no matter what they want to pursue after high school, and that’s why this bill is so important.”
This legislation would also allow post-secondary scholarships, such as the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship, to be used for trainings provided by intermediaries, employers or a labor organization, State Rep. Peggy Mayfield, R-Martinsville, said in the statement.
“There are so many high-demand career paths available that don’t require a college degree,” Mayfield said. “This legislation would give more high school students even more opportunities to explore careers and earn certifications that can help them after graduation.”
HB 1002 has been been referred to the Senate’s Education and Career Development Committee, where it has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
For more information about HB 1002, visit iga.in.gov.
