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Rural Health Care Training Grant Awarded

On Friday, January 15, 2021, the U. S. Department of Labor announced that approximately $40 million in H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program funds have been awarded to public and private entities to address rural health care workforce shortages in communities across the country.  The Western Indiana Workforce Development Board was part of a nine board coalition across Indiana that submitted a proposal and was awarded a total of nearly 2.5 million dollars for use statewide.  The Lafayette-based Tecumseh Area Partnership will serve as the grant recipient and fiscal agent for the coalition. This statewide proposal was one of fewer than 20 awarded throughout the U.S. Approximately $250,000.00 of the statewide award will go to the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board in order to implement the grant locally.

The coronavirus pandemic has increased the need for healthcare workers, particularly in rural areas where the need was already acute. The aim of this funding is to increase the number of individuals trained in healthcare occupations that directly impact patient care and alleviate health care workforce shortages by creating sustainable employment and training programs in health care occupations serving rural populations. 

“Numerous people throughout the six counties that compose Region 7 are trained annually in healthcare fields with support from WorkOne West. This grant will serve to expand on-going conversations with local health care providers and training entities in order to identify unique ways of incorporating new and emerging technologies, such as interactive simulations and personalized and virtual instruction,” said Rick Burger, president of the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board. 

Manufacturing Day 2020

Manufacturers Day empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.

Manufacturers in the United States need to fill 4.6 million jobs by 2028. More than half of those jobs could be left unfilled because of two issues: a skills gap and misperceptions about modern manufacturing. That’s why The Manufacturing Institute, together with the National Association of Manufacturers, launched the Creators Wanted campaign, an unprecedented national effort to build the modern manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

By 2025, Creators Wanted aims to reduce the skills gap in the United States by 600,000, as well as increase the number of students enrolling in technical and vocational schools or reskilling programs by 25% and increase the positive perception of the industry among parents to 50% from 27%. Click below to view reports on manufacturing in our local nine county region that includes; Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties in Indiana, and Clark and Edgar counties in Illinois.

Highest Ranked Occupations

Manufacturing Report

Western Indiana Workforce Development Board Secure 1.92 Million In CARES Act Grant Funding to Advance Rapid Recovery Workforce Retraining Effort

WDB

Western Indiana Workforce Development Board Secure 1.92 Million In CARES Act Grant Funding to Advance Rapid Recovery Workforce Retraining Effort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 6, 2020 (click here for pdf version)

For further information, contact: 

Lisa Lee

Executive Director, Western Indiana Workforce Development Board, Inc.

(812) 238-5616, Ext. 1

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (July 6, 2020) – The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC) announced temporary expansion plans for the State of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs program in a press release earlier today.  The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Commission for Higher Education will administer $37 million dollars in Rapid Recovery for a Better Future initiative funding to expand the two programs that make up Next Level Jobs; Workforce Ready Grant (WRG) and Employer Training Grant (ETG), which will increase eligibility program offerings and funding caps through December 30, 2020.  The Western Indiana Workforce Development Board (WIWDB), which serves Economic Growth Region 7, has been allocated 1.92 million to advance regional workforce retraining within high-growth, high wage occupations through the training fund programs.     

Funding Available Via Employer Training Grants & Workforce Ready Grants

Employers may apply for up to $100,000, capped at up to $5,000 per employee, via the Employer Training Grant (ETG) –this is an increase from the previous cap of $50,000 per employer. Individual learners may apply for up to $10,000 in scholarship resources available via the Workforce Training Grant (WTG) – this is an increase from the previous cap of $4,500.  Eligible training programs are highlighted on the Next Level Jobs website resource page.  Eligibility for funding of both programs is being focused on the following sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Health and Life Sciences, IT and Business, Building and Construction, and Transportation and Logistics. Interested employers may contact Mike Smith, Western Indiana Workforce Development Board Business Services Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (812) 238-5616, extension 4. Individuals interested in learning more about Workforce Training Grants should call their local WorkOne office. For the contact information of WorkOne West offices in Brazil, Rockville, Greencastle, Sullivan, Clinton and Terre Haute, go to www.workonewest.com .

“The expanded training and funding opportunities available to both businesses and individuals through Indiana’s Rapid Recovery Next Level Jobs program are outstanding,” said Lisa Lee, Executive Director of the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board. “The intention of the program is to meet employers and individuals where they are, while also keeping an eye towards the future.” The Board will serve as the grant administer, manage education and training partnerships, and will facilitate businesses through the Employer Training Grant process, which is user-friendly. The Board will partner with Economic Growth Region 7 lead economic development organizations (LEDOs) through the Accelerate West Central Indiana Economic Development Corporation on employer planning and outreach.  

About The Western Indiana Workforce Development Board, Inc. develops regional strategic plans and sets funding priorities for the region. The Board is certified by the Governor and is the recipient and administrator of both federal and state employment and training dollars, along with many additional public and private funds aimed at building the workforce of Western Indiana. Among its many functions, the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board facilitates partnerships between local businesses with similar training needs. 

About The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC) was formed in 2018 with the mission of addressing current and future education and employment needs for individuals and employers, strengthening Indiana’s economy by integrating and aligning state and federal resources to ensure a talent-driven education and workforce system. The membership of the GWC includes the business community, K-12 representatives, postsecondary institutions, Indiana lawmakers, and leaders from Indiana state agencies. 

About The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) serves the workers and the employers of Indiana to ensure workplace success.  DWD is committed to innovating and invigorating Indiana’s economic future by providing WorkOne Career Centers, Unemployment Insurance, Labor Market Information, Workforce Strategies, and Professional Training.  Through these services, DWD is able to develop a premier workforce that enables Indiana employers to flourish and entice business attraction. 

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TAA will be having an Open House Orientation from 2-6pm on April 17 at the following address:

Vigo County Library

Meeting Rooms B & C

680 Poplar Street

Terre Haute, Indiana 47807

Eligible candidates will be recieve a postcard in the mail with additional details.