State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) said the state is temporarily expanding its Next Level Jobs program until Dec. 30 to give more job seekers and employers more time to participate. 

Indiana is using $40 million that was provided from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to expand the eligibility for the program, as well as offerings and funding caps for Workforce Ready Grant and Employer Training Grants, according to a press release from the Indiana House of Representatives Republican Caucus. 

"If any job-seeking Hoosier hasn't looked into the Next Level Jobs program, I would encourage them to do so because it is a great opportunity to skill up and make a career change," Pressel said in the news release. "With the grant expanding the program through the end of the year, now is the time to get additional training to move into a high-demand industry."

About half of the CARES Act funding will go toward allowing at least 10,000 additional Indiana residents to be part of the Workforce Ready Grant program as it temporarily expands.

Indiana residents who have either two-year degrees or four-year degrees can now temporarily receive full tuition reimbursement for programs through Dec. 30 that are part of the short-term Workforce Ready Grant.

There will be nearly 50 new certificates added to the list of eligible programs temporarily, including Commercial Driver's License, Certified Nursing Assistant, CNC Machining certifications and Phlebotomy, the press release states.

According to the news release, the individual funding cap was also temporarily raised from $5,500 to $10,000.

The Department of Workforce Development's Employer Training Grant will also be expanded temporarily to provide support for more businesses that train new employees and help workers learn new skills. That program's funding was upped from $50,000 to $100,000, the press release states. There will be $5 million set aside to support women-, veteran- and minority-owned businesses.