DWD Awards $1.5 Million in Grants to Help Address Regional Workforce Issues

From Local Sources 

STATEWIDE –The Indiana Department of Workforce Development awarded the Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board Inc. a $150,000 performance grant to help address critical workforce issues in the region.

It plans to use the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant to host the Southwest Indiana State of the Child and Future of Our Community Youth Conference, adopt a fee-for-service model for youth-serving organizations, and to host two work-based learning events.

“These funds will help the Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board Inc. meet the needs of the employers in Region 11 by enabling more youth gain high-wage, in-demand skills through attainment of their High School Equivalency, industry-recognized certifications and ultimately job placement,” said Jim Heck, executive director of the board.

The Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board Inc. oversees workforce initiatives in Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.

DWD provided grant opportunities to all 12 Workforce Development Boards throughout the state. Each proposal had to focus on improving the workforce operations of that region in alignment with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s and the DWD’s objectives.

“We wanted to invest this money in local communities to address each of their unique challenges,” DWD Commissioner Fred Payne said. “It’s an important tool in helping more Hoosiers enter the workforce.”

In total, $1.5 million in grant money was distributed across the state by DWD to the region’s workforce development boards through this grant opportunity.