Davis
Hoosiers will have increased access to adult education and workforce training opportunities when a local lawmaker’s bill becomes law.
House Bill 1609, authored by State Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, will help alleviate current waiting lists for adult education and workforce training.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development currently offers programs teaching math, reading and writing to prepare Hoosiers to earn a high school equivalency diploma, go to college or participate in an industry-recognized training certification program. But due to funding constraints, there are over 1,000 individuals waiting for integrated education and training, and over 6,700 for all other adult education classes, Davis said in a statement on the bill.
DWD also provides services to help businesses attract and retain talent, develop apprenticeships and provide work-based learning, but they currently have over 50 employers on a waiting list to begin a partnership with a local adult education program, Davis said.
The bill will put 25% of the state’s adult education funding toward integrated educational training, and reimburse and provide grants for eligible employers. This legislation will also align state and federal funding to provide more educational opportunities for Hoosiers to pursue adult learning, Davis said.
Currently, Indiana does not allow state adult education dollars to be used for workforce training. These changes could reduce the current wait list by 5,000 over two years, she said.
Currently, the state utilizes the High School Equivalency exam, which tests five subject areas including math, reading, writing, science and social studies. Under the new law, DWD can also grant competency-based diplomas based on assessments developed by the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. This will give a new way Hoosiers to display their capabilities and skills they have mastered, Davis said.
HB 1609 was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on May 1, and will go into effect on July 1.
