🧭 Employer Resource Navigator

EARN Indiana (Work-Study Program)

State work-study program providing paid internships for students with financial need. Employers receive 50% state matching funds on the student's hourly rate.

What you get: Employers receive 50% wage reimbursement (up to $45,000/yr). Students paid directly by employers at 10-20 hrs/wk during school, 10-40 hrs/wk summer.

How to start: Create account at workandlearnindiana.com, check 'EARN Indiana' box

CHE State Official page →

Power Up Indiana

Reimburses companies up to $5,000 per trainee ($50,000 max per company) for employee training that results in industry-recognized credentials, cross-training/reskilling, leadership development, or registered apprenticeships. Minimum starting wage: $23.50/hr.

What you get: Up to $5,000 per employee trained, $50,000 max per employer per year. $10M total program funding.

How to start: 3-step process through Power Up Portal at in.gov/dwd/power-up

DWD State Official page →

Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Federal grant funding to support registered apprenticeship expansion, employer partnerships, and new apprenticeship pathways. Earn-and-learn model with DOL-registered credentials.

What you get: Power Up reimburses $5,000/apprentice. $6.25M federal expansion grant in Indiana. Veteran apprentices get GI Bill stipend. Average ROI: 44% ($144 per $100 inves

How to start: Use Standards Builder at apprenticeship.gov. Contact Indiana OWBLA.

DWD Federal Official page →

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Helps individuals with disabilities achieve employment through personalized services, training, and employer partnerships.

How to start: Submit referral form online or contact one of 25 Area Offices statewide at in.gov/fssa/ddars/brs/

FSSA Federal Official page →

Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF)

Reimburses businesses (typically 50%) for eligible training costs over 2 years. Training must lead to postsecondary credentials, industry credentials, or specialized training resulting in wage increases. Tied to new capital investment.

What you get: Typically 50% reimbursement of eligible training costs over a 2-year grant term

How to start: Apply directly to IEDC at iedc.in.gov

IEDC State Official page →

Education Readiness Grants (Industry 4.0)

Grants for Indiana secondary schools to purchase Industry 4.0 technologies (robotics, automation, cybersecurity labs) that prepare students for high-tech manufacturing careers. Students benefit through hands-on access.

What you get: Up to $100,000 per school. 2025: $1M awarded to 23 schools.

How to start: Applications open December-January annually via Conexus Indiana

CHE State Official page →

Work and Learn Indiana

Indiana’s work-based learning platform connecting students with employers for internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning opportunities.

How to start: Students and employers register at workandlearnindiana.com

CHE State Official page →

Employer Training Grant (Next Level Jobs)

Reimburses Indiana employers up to $5,000 per employee ($50,000 max) for training that results in industry-recognized credentials. Covers 6 priority sectors plus early childhood education.

What you get: Up to $5,000 per employee trained and retained 6 months. Up to $50,000 per employer. High school students: up to $1,000.

How to start: Apply online at in.gov/dwd/nextleveljobs/employer/. 3-step process: (1) review eligible credentials, (2) submit employer application, (3) su

DWD State Official page →

Section 127 Employer Educational Assistance

Employers can provide up to $5,250/year tax-free per employee for tuition, fees, books, and student loan repayment. Made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025). Indexed for inflation starting 2026.

What you get: Up to $5,250/year tax-free per employee for: tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, AND student loan repayment (made permanent July 2025). Indexed for infla

How to start: Employers: establish a written Section 127 plan. Employees: check with HR department about educational assistance benefits.

IRS Federal Official page →

Invest Onward (Rise & Reskill)

IHC’s own workforce training program offering employability skills, hospitality training, property maintenance certification, and resume building. Monthly cohorts with free enrollment for Hamilton County residents.

What you get: Free enrollment for participants. Employers get trained, work-ready candidates.

How to start: Contact Invest Hamilton County: investhamiltoncounty.com

IHC Local Official page →

OSHA Training & Compliance Resources

Free and low-cost workplace safety training, consultation, and compliance assistance. Indiana operates a State Plan through IOSHA with free on-site consultation for small businesses.

How to start: INSafe consultation: 317-232-2688 or insafe@dol.in.gov. National OSHA: 1-800-321-OSHA.

OSHA Federal Official page →

Alex Workforce Ecosystem — Industry & Occupation Intelligence

Deep occupation drill-down: industry-staffing patterns (NAICS → SOC), career ladders (Lightcast outbound + inbound), wage percentiles (BLS OES MSA-level), promotion uplift signals. Used by HR teams to plan hiring, design career-progression frameworks, and benchmark wages against the Indianapolis MSA.

What you get: Free. Bundled in City BRE add-on.

How to start: Visit Alex Site Intelligence → Workforce tab. Or email info@investhamiltoncounty.com.

IHC Local Official page →

Hamilton Pathways Lab (HPL) — K-12 Workforce Research Initiative

Research + branding initiative documenting Hamilton County's school-led work-based learning model. For employers interested in shaping the 2027 Indiana legislative session on WBL funding — or who want first-mover access to apprenticeship + intern pipelines being built right now.

What you get: Information access + early signal on Indiana state policy direction. No employer fee.

How to start: Email Mike Thibideau: mthibideau@investhamiltoncounty.com (HPL is currently CEO-led).

IHC Local Official page →

Apprenticeship.gov — Federal Registered Apprenticeship Sponsorship

Federal portal for sponsoring a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Up to 12-month structured program with paid OJT + classroom instruction + portable industry-recognized credential. Tax-deductible employer wages, federal credits available, USDOL technical assistance included.

What you get: Federal tax credit for apprentice wages (state-by-state). Indiana also offers Workforce Ready Grant alignment for related instruction.

How to start: Visit apprenticeship.gov/employers → Express Interest in Starting a Program. USDOL Office of Apprenticeship contacts you within 5 business d

USDOL/ETA Federal Official page →

Ivy Tech Workforce Solutions — Hamilton County Custom Training

Ivy Tech Community College's employer-customized training arm. Builds short-term programs (4-12 weeks) tailored to your skills gaps. Eligible for Indiana Employer Training Grant ($5,000/employee). Hamilton County campuses: Fishers + Indianapolis.

What you get: Tuition discounted via state grants ($5K/employee Employer Training Grant; full Workforce Ready Grant for short-term certifications).

How to start: Visit ivytech.edu/workforce or email workforce-fishers@ivytech.edu (Fishers campus contact).

Ivy Tech State Official page →

Indiana Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) — Training Reimbursement

Indiana state grant reimbursing up to 50% of training costs for new or incumbent workers (up to $5,000/employee). Stacks with WOTC + OJT. Best for technical training, certifications, leadership development. Application processed by IEDC; turnaround 30-60 days.

What you get: 50% training reimbursement up to $5,000 per employee. Annual cap per employer: typically $50K-$200K depending on workforce size.

How to start: Pre-application consultation with IEDC project manager required. Visit iedc.in.gov/programs-initiatives/business-incentives → Skills Enhance

IEDC State Official page →

IHA Management Institute — Healthcare Manager Certificate

A 35-year IHA + IU Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs partnership. 10-course, six-month executive education program for emerging and experienced healthcare leaders covering team management, change management, financial management, HR practices, and conflict resolution. Participants completing 9 of 10 courses earn the Healthcare Manager Certificate; 6 CEUs awarded for full completion. Tuesdays 9 AM-4 PM on the IU Indianapolis campus.

How to start: Register online at the IU O'Neill registration link (deadline July 10, 2026). Direct registration — no formal employer nomination required.

IHA + IU O'Neill Private Official page →

Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA) — Long-Term Care Workforce & Training

Trade association for nursing homes, assisted living, and post-acute care providers in Indiana. Workforce program portfolio includes CNA & QMA training (online + clinical), Activity Director Certified (ADC) course, Health Facility Administrator (HFA) and Residential Care Administrator (RCA) leadership courses, Preceptor Online Course, Gero Nurse Prep, AAPACN tools for SNF nurses, Infection Preventionist Specialized Training, and the 'Mastering Recruitment & Retention' webinar series. Member discounts apply across the catalog.

How to start: Contact IHCA at (317) 636-6406 or communications@ihca.org. Course catalog and registration at ihca.org/our-services/workforce/.

IHCA Private Official page →

Coursera Career Academy — Free Courses & Google/IBM Career Certificates

Coursera Career Academy aggregates 60+ entry-level professional certificates from employer-recognized providers (Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Meta, Salesforce). Thousands of individual courses are free to audit (no certificate). Full Career Certificates run $49/month via Coursera Plus subscription; most certificates take 3-6 months to complete part-time. For HC professional-services and finance employers, the most relevant certificates include Google Project Management, Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Analyst, Intuit Bookkeeping, Google Cybersecurity, Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce, and Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst. Coursera for Business offers team licenses; Coursera also partners with WIOA workforce boards (including Indiana DWD) for tuition-free access in some cases.

How to start: Employees enroll directly at coursera.org/career-academy. Employers can license Coursera for Business at coursera.org/business for team dash

Coursera, Inc. Private Official page →

Hospitality Indiana — Membership + ServSafe Training

Hospitality Indiana — the rebranded Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association — is the state trade association for hotels, restaurants, and food/beverage employers. Membership unlocks discounted ServSafe Food Manager and Food Handler certification (in-person classes are offered throughout Indiana including the Indianapolis MSA), Indiana ProStart workforce pipeline access for high schools, ServSafe Workplace harassment-prevention training, RestaurantOwner.com discount, telemedicine for staff, and a member directory. Membership pricing is set on a contact basis; ServSafe Manager retail certification typically runs $125-$179 per attendee with member discounts.

How to start: Call 317.673.4211 or use the membership form at hospitalityindiana.org/join. ServSafe class registration available directly via the events c

Hospitality Indiana Private Official page →

ServSafe Food Manager & Food Handler Certification

ServSafe is the National Restaurant Association's nationally recognized food safety certification — the de facto standard most Indiana health departments accept for the required Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on premises at every food establishment. Online Food Handler course is roughly $15 per employee; Manager certification (online or instructor-led, with proctored exam) runs $125-$179. Required compliance for any HC food employer per Indiana 410 IAC 7-24.

How to start: Visit servsafe.com, select Food Handler or Manager, choose online self-paced or 'Find a Class' for instructor-led. Pay per seat. Manager exa

National Restaurant Association Private Official page →

Indiana DWD Office of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship (OWBLA)

Indiana's central hub for Registered Apprenticeship (RAP), Certified Pre-Apprenticeship, and State Earn and Learn (SEAL) program creation. Hospitality and food service employers can register custom 'earn-and-learn' programs (line cook, hospitality manager, certified hospitality supervisor) with no cost to register. Employers may qualify for Workforce Ready Grant tuition reimbursement, federal Apprenticeship Tax Credit, and Employer Training Grant funding. OWBLA staff help draft the work-process schedule and Related Technical Instruction outline. As of 12/31/2025: 930+ active RAPs, 1,584+ occupations, 86,500 cumulative apprentices since 2014.

How to start: Submit an inquiry through the contact form at in.gov/dwd/owbla, or call 1-800-457-8283. OWBLA assigns a regional consultant who walks the em

Indiana DWD State Official page →

AHLEI START — Hotel Line-Staff Certification

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute's six-track entry-level certification program for front-line hotel staff: Front Desk Representative, Guest Room Attendant, Maintenance Employee, Restaurant Server, Kitchen Cook, and Public Area Cleaner. Used by Hamilton County's existing Hospitality Training Program (run with Janus Developmental Services). Each track is a self-paced workbook + online exam ending in an AHLA-endorsed industry credential. Cost is roughly $50-$95 per learner depending on track and bulk discount. Helps small hotels and B&Bs in HC standardize onboarding without building training from scratch.

How to start: Order workbooks and exam vouchers directly from ahlei.servsafebrands.com. Volume discounts via Hospitality Indiana (member benefit). Or part

AHLEI Private Official page →

Visit Hamilton County Tourism — Partner Program

Hamilton County Tourism (HCT) is the county's destination marketing organization and offers a tiered partner program for restaurants, hotels, attractions, retail, and event venues across Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and the Northern Towns. Partner benefits include listing on visithamiltoncounty.com (3M+ annual visits), inclusion in the Visitors Guide and itineraries, social media amplification, group/meeting RFP referrals, co-op advertising buys, and access to HCT's quarterly Hospitality Summits and workforce summits. HCT also hosts the Hamilton County Hospitality Training Program in partnership with Janus Developmental Services.

How to start: Contact Katy Cavaleri at kcavaleri@hamiltoncountytourism.com or call 317-848-3181. Application reviewed within 2 weeks; partnership begins o

Hamilton County Tourism Local Official page →