STATEHOUSE (March 9, 2023) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers voted to advance a bill to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said House Bill 1002, which she co-authored, would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential.
“Students should have opportunities to explore career fields and get hands-on experience while they’re still in high school,” McNamara said. “Not all students are college bound and that’s why providing them with the ability to choose a more relevant pathway upon graduation is important.”
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), who serves on the House Ways and Means committee, said 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. 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.
“Opportunities for students to make money while learning a trade need to become more commonplace, and this bill encourages those types of partnerships between students, schools and employers,” O’Brien said. “Hoosier communities will also benefit from local graduates who have training and are eager to enter the workforce.”
According to State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Pakota), the proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. 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.
“We know there are many employers that are struggling to find qualified candidates for job openings,” Hostettler said. “This legislation could be a great way for them to connect to students who are eager to learn new skills that can prepare them for in-demand careers right out of school.”
He said the 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. Hostettler said this would provide additional opportunities for Hoosiers, who may not interested in college, to use these funds to skill up and be prepared for the modern workforce.
STATEHOUSE (March 9, 2023) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers voted to advance a bill to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said House Bill 1002, which she co-authored, would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential.
“Students should have opportunities to explore career fields and get hands-on experience while they’re still in high school,” McNamara said. “Not all students are college bound and that’s why providing them with the ability to choose a more relevant pathway upon graduation is important.”
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), who serves on the House Ways and Means committee, said 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. 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.
“Opportunities for students to make money while learning a trade need to become more commonplace, and this bill encourages those types of partnerships between students, schools and employers,” O’Brien said. “Hoosier communities will also benefit from local graduates who have training and are eager to enter the workforce.”
According to State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Pakota), the proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. 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.
“We know there are many employers that are struggling to find qualified candidates for job openings,” Hostettler said. “This legislation could be a great way for them to connect to students who are eager to learn new skills that can prepare them for in-demand careers right out of school.”
He said the 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. Hostettler said this would provide additional opportunities for Hoosiers, who may not interested in college, to use these funds to skill up and be prepared for the modern workforce.
