More Hoosiers are Advancing Their Careers with Workforce Ready Grants
Since its inception, the Workforce Ready Grant (WRG) has helped more than 47,000 Hoosiers complete credential training in high-wage, high-demand careers. This state-funded grant covers tuition and fees for qualifying certificate programs, enabling more Indiana residents to gain the skills needed to succeed in high-demand industries.
“What makes this number significant is these individuals started with no credential beyond a high school diploma – and now, thanks to WRG, they have earned a credential with real employment potential,” underscores DWD Commissioner Richard Paulk. “Not only does this open doors to better job opportunities, but they achieved this milestone completely tuition free.”
Administered by Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), the WRG is a last-dollar scholarship – applied only after all other eligible federal or institutional aid has been used. Launched in 2017, the WRG was designed to support quick-turnaround training programs during a time when Indiana's unemployment rate was among the lowest in the country.
Originally focused on credit-bearing programs, WRG expanded in its second year to include non-credit programs, allowing more learners to earn credentials that may not appear on an academic transcript but still hold significant value in the workforce. Today, approximately 25% of WRG recipients enroll in non-credit programs offered by private providers. However, Ivy Tech Community College remains the most popular choice for WRG-eligible learners, primarily in credit-bearing programs.
The WRG currently supports more than 150 qualified programs across Indiana’s most in-demand industries, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Building and Construction
- Health and Life Sciences
- IT and Business Services
- Transportation and Logistics
- Early Childhood Development
The breadth of WRG-supported programs has made it a powerful tool for both incumbent workers and jobseekers alike. One recent area of focus has been early childhood education, where the need for credentialed professionals has grown significantly. To address this, both the WRG and the Employer Training Grant (ETG) expanded to include early childhood education programs and the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. This expansion helps ensure Indiana families have access to well-trained, qualified childcare providers.
Over the past seven months alone, nearly 1,000 Hoosiers earned certification through the Workforce Ready Grant (WRG), helping them take the next step in their careers.
“A lot of other states are looking to Indiana thanks to the success of the program we have here,” said Beth Meguschar, DWD’s Director of Workforce Education and Training. “We’re thankful to have had the support needed to help Hoosiers reach their highest potential. While we have accomplished a lot, we’re far from being done.”
For more information about the Workforce Ready Grant, visit the NextLevel Jobs website.
