Indiana Employer Training Grants Generate $334 Million in Community Impact
Over the past seven years, the Employer Training Grant (ETG) program, sponsored by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), has played a transformative role in helping employers across the state hire, train, and retain employees in middle skill, high-demand, and high-wage jobs. Recent data highlights the program’s success, with $81 million in ETG reimbursements generating over $334 million in economic benefit.
Originally launched in 2017 as part of former Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s NextLevel Indiana agenda, the ETG program aligns with the state’s effort to prepare Indiana’s workforce for more than one million job openings over the next 10 years due to natural attrition, Baby Boomer retirements, and expected economic growth. The initiative specifically focuses on high-priority sectors and high-demand jobs.
“I believe DWD is best known for helping the jobseeker, but ETG is one example of how we support employers,” said Commissioner of Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development Richard Paulk. “It is not just the individual looking to upskill themselves. Businesses look to upskill employees to create an internal system of education that creates an internal pipeline of talent. ETG provides an opportunity for employers to begin building their pipeline.”
Employer Training Grants were initially made available in six business sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Technology and Business Services, Transportation and Logistics, Health and Sciences, Building and Construction, and Agriculture. In 2024, the program expanded to prioritize early childhood education and childhood training.
“The significance of this program is that it allows employers to be in the driver’s seat,” said Holly Meyer, DWD’s Director of Outreach and Digital Media for Employer Engagement. “It gives them the ability to choose employee training that will ultimately help advance the organization.
“The Employer Training Grant helps make upskilling more affordable.”
Hoosier employers that qualify for an Employer Training Grant are eligible for up to $50,000 per year. They can be reimbursed as much as $5,000 per employee for training that results in a post-secondary credential or nationally recognized industry credential. In addition, up to $3,000 in grant assistance is also available per employee for specialized company training.
Success Story
One company that has benefited greatly from the ETG program is Custom Concrete, based in Westfield, Indiana.
“Training general laborers in the specialized skill of concrete finishing was costing our company up to $7,000 per employee,” said Brent Sweeney, Director of Human Resources, Custom Concrete. “This training has been greatly facilitated by these grants, providing immense support to our operations. By intentionally taking care of our employees through these initiatives, we have seen success in improving job focus and productivity, ultimately leading to better service for our customers.”
With nearly 30,000 Hoosiers having already been trained for a better job through the Employer Training Grant, there are undoubtedly many other success stories to be shared.
For more information about the Employer Training Grant program, visit the NextLevel Jobs website by clicking on the following link - https://www.in.gov/dwd/nextleveljobs/employer/how-it-works/.
