Despite Indiana’s peak levels of employment, across the state there are nearly 330,000 people who are either unemployed or not participating in the workforce.
Senate Bill 301 is a strategic step toward developing a demand-driven workforce system in Indiana. State Senator Randy head said, “SB 301 would help career and technical training providers tailor their educational opportunities toward the needs of employers, which will be broken down into 11 regions across the state.”
This bill would require a study to outline the expected workforce needs of employers over the next 10 years and inventory available high school and career and technological training courses currently available. The bill will also determine actual workforce needs and existing gaps in education requirements by region and create regional partnerships between educational institutions, training providers and employers and provide administrative support for Ivy Tech.
Head said, “SB 301 is an important tool to help Indiana’s skilled labor force grow and fill vacant jobs. It would also help attract new, high-wage, high-demand jobs.”
The bill has passed the Senate and is now expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives this week.
