WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Indiana recognizes that the path to graduation is not a one-size-fits-all and instead, provides many pathways for students to earn a high school diploma. The Indiana Graduation Pathways empower students to individualize their graduation requirements to align with their postsecondary goals in one of three paths: Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment leading to military service. No longer must students fit into the same academic mold, but rather, they can choose the high school options that best meet their postsecondary goals and aspirations. Beginning with the Class of 2023, students must meet (1) diploma requirements, (2) learn and demonstrate employability skills, and (3) at least one postsecondary-ready competency (e.g., honors diploma, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, industry certification, apprenticeship, CTE concentrator, AP/IB/Dual Credit/Cambridge International/CLEP, locally created pathway – approved by the State Board of Education, or a waiver). Indiana’s “re-thinking of high school” aims to expand access to intentional college credit opportunities that allow students to earn transferable, stackable credentials before graduation, as well as high-quality work-based learning experiences. The future of our students, our communities, and our State depend on a K-12 system that helps everyone succeed, whether their post-graduation plans include employment, enrollment, or enlistment leading to service. Progress will continue to be tracked in the Indiana Graduated Prepared to Succeed dashboard (Indiana GPS: https://indianagps.doe.in.gov/).  

In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1002 which, at its core, sought to implement new high school diploma requirements that are more flexible and relevant to students, employers, and communities while also improving access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities and increasing the number of postsecondary credentials earned by students before they graduate high school. From HEA 1002, the State also established Career Scholarship Accounts (CSA) which enable students in grades 10-12 to access funding to pay for career training beyond the classroom. This expansion of work-based learning will enable Hoosier students to earn a post-secondary credential before graduating from high school.  

Indiana’s strategies will improve access to activities leading to recognized postsecondary credentials. Through programs like the CHIPS and Science Act, Tech Hubs, and more, Indiana is poised to make strong investments in talent development to support the in-demand occupations of growing industry clusters like semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, biolife sciences, etc. State workforce partners will continue to meet with industry leaders to determine their staffing needs in these fields and to coordinate on training, work-based learning experiences, and stackable credentials in order to meet employer demand.  

The additional strategies outlined below further support the State’s strategies: 

Establishing Shared Definitions: Indiana’s Department of Education (IDOE), in coordination with Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC), has led statewide efforts in establishing shared definitions of high-quality work-based learning and credentials of value. IDOE conducted a Graduation Landscape Analysis in 2023, where it evaluated evolvement of graduation pathways and diploma requirements and engaged stakeholders to help focus Indiana’s work into three key areas1: 

• Diploma Requirements: making high school diploma requirements are more flexible and relevant to students, employers, and communities 

• High-Quality Work-Based Learning: improving access to and the number of students completing high-quality work-based learning opportunities 

• Credentials of Value: increasing access to and the number of students completing high-value postsecondary credentials before high school graduation 

These definitions aim to ensure that students graduate with knowledge, skills, and experiences that align with the needs of employers, communities, and our State. They also help to prioritize State funding efforts. A statewide advisory group with representation from all the major partners – IDOE, CHE, DWD, and Indiana Office for Career and Technical Education (CTE) – is outlining a process to evaluate credentials and to categorize them from ‘foundational’ all the way to ‘premium’ based on the mastery of technical skills leading to the highest wages. All the industry certifications that appear on Indiana’s Promoted List of Industry Certifications, for example, will be categorized as either a foundational, advanced, or premium credential. Efforts to identify Credentials of Value will allow the State to better incentivize the attainment of credentials that offer the greatest return on investment. 

Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship: Indiana’s strategies specific to work-based learning and apprenticeship will further support improved access to postsecondary credentials. For example, the work DWD’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA) has completed to align CTE, IDOE, and Ivy Tech Community College training programs to U.S. Department of Labor skill standards creates universal alignment and training plans across multiple industries.  

Led by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, Work and Learn Indiana helps Indiana employers and community partners develop and retain Hoosier talent through relevant work and learn experiences that drive a highly skilled and equitable workforce. The program is a free work-based learning matching marketplace connecting Indiana employers, anyone seeking a work-based learning experience, high schools, colleges, and universities. Work-based learning experiences through this program include internships (12-16 weeks), externships (a day to a week), volunteering/service learning (no specified timeline), cooperative education (multi-semester), and apprenticeship (at least one year). Some work-based learning experiences may be eligible for academic credit; however, requirements vary by school and department.  

Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant (ETG): DWD’s implementation of the ETG program continues to prove critical in catalyzing relationships that drive recognized post-secondary credential attainment. In 2023, over 400 employers utilized the ETG, and 3,736 employees received job-relevant training in demand occupations. Nearly 50% of employers participating in ETG were small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and apprenticeships are proven to help these businesses grow. Employers are increasingly utilizing ETG to upskill existing employees by creating new apprenticeship opportunities in Indiana. Benefits to Hoosier businesses are abundant, a few include growing their own talent through work-based learning, improving profitability by lowering recruiting costs in creating a pipeline of skilled employees, and retention gains of 93% in employees completing training. 

Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant (WRG): DWD’s implementation of the WRG program has continued to support individuals who are seeking training and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century economy. During Program Year 2022, WRG had 740 enrollments with an 89% completion rate and an 83% credential rate. Midway through PY2023, the program has 342 enrollments, with a 91% completion rate and 68% credential rate to date.