Employer Resource Navigator

Training & Upskilling

Wage-reimbursement programs, certifications, apprenticeships, and leadership courses.

35 resources in this category

EARN Indiana (Work-Study Program)
State · CHE
State work-study program providing paid internships for students with financial need. Employers receive 50% state matching funds on the student's hourly rate.
Power Up Indiana
State · DWD
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.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Federal · DWD
Federal grant funding to support registered apprenticeship expansion, employer partnerships, and new apprenticeship pathways. Earn-and-learn model with DOL-registered credentials.
Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF)
State · IEDC
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.
Education Readiness Grants (Industry 4.0)
State · CHE
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.
Youth
On-the-Job Training (OJT) — WorkOne
Federal · WorkOne
WorkOne reimburses employers up to 50% of a new employee's wage during a contracted training period. Minimum wage: $13.50/hr for adults, $11/hr for youth. WorkOne pre-screens and refers qualified candidates.
Workone
Youth Work Experience (WEX) — WorkOne
Federal · WorkOne
Places youth ages 16-24 in employer worksites at ZERO cost to the employer. WorkOne pays all wages and workers' compensation. Youth attend weekly career workshops. Hamilton County contact: Dorothee Cooke.
Workone Youth
Work and Learn Indiana
State · CHE
Indiana’s work-based learning platform connecting students with employers for internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning opportunities.
Employer Training Grant (Next Level Jobs)
State · DWD
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.
Invest Onward (Rise & Reskill)
Local · IHC
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.
Ihc
WorkOne Interview Rooms & Computer Labs
Federal · WorkOne
Free employer access to WorkOne facilities for interviews, hiring events, skills testing, and computer labs. Professional setting at no cost.
Workone
Hoosier Business Investment (HBI) Tax Credit
State · IEDC
Indiana tax credit for businesses making capital investments that support job creation. Non-refundable credits certified over 2 years based on eligible investment amount.
Incentive
WorkKeys Assessments
Federal · WorkOne
ACT WorkKeys skills testing validates job candidates’ workplace abilities in applied math, workplace documents, and business writing. Free through WorkOne for employers and job seekers.
Workone
InvestEd — K-12 Employer Engagement (via The Pursuit Institute)
Local · IHC
Direct employer access to Hamilton County's 6 school corporations through The Pursuit Institute (TPI). Sponsor a Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MYA), host paid interns, mentor capstone projects, or run workforce-readiness sessions. 100+ apprentices currently placed; 9 active career pathways (450+ supporting courses).
Youth
Hamilton Pathways Lab (HPL) — K-12 Workforce Research Initiative
Local · IHC
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.
Youth
Re-Entry Workforce Initiative — Justice-Involved + Recovery Hiring
Local · IHC
IHC's flagship re-entry program connecting Hamilton County employers with workforce-ready candidates exiting jail, in substance-use recovery, or under Community Corrections supervision. Funded by Hamilton County Commissioners + Council. Includes intake screening, employer placement support, recovery-friendly workplace certification path.
Justice
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training — Workplace Certification
Federal · USDOL/SAMHSA
Evidence-based 8-hour training certifying managers/employees as MH First Aiders. Recognize signs of MH crisis, provide initial support, connect to resources. Free or subsidized for Indiana employers via state grant programs and recovery-friendly workplace partnerships.
Apprenticeship.gov — Federal Registered Apprenticeship Sponsorship
Federal · USDOL/ETA
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.
Ivy Tech Workforce Solutions — Hamilton County Custom Training
State · Ivy Tech
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.
IEDC Business Incentives Portal — Indiana State Tax Credits + Grants
State · IEDC
Indiana Economic Development Corporation's full incentive catalog: EDGE, HBI, R&D, HQRTC, Skills Enhancement Fund, IndianaINvests grants, SEF training grants. Single front door for all state-level incentives. Application process is consultative — IEDC project managers guide qualifying employers through stacking + sequencing.
Indiana Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) — Training Reimbursement
State · IEDC
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.
Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Disability Hiring Partnership
State · FSSA/VR
Indiana state VR provides FREE candidate sourcing, job-coaching, on-site support, and post-placement follow-up for employers hiring people with disabilities. ~95% of VR candidates have completed assessment + skills evaluation. Reduces hiring risk + WOTC-eligible.
Disability
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) — Indianapolis District Office
Federal · SBA
Federal lending + business advisory for HC small businesses. SBA 7(a) loans (up to $5M), 504 loans (real estate + equipment), HUBZone certification, government contracting prep. Indianapolis district office covers Hamilton County; Fishers + Carmel SBDC chapters provide free 1:1 advising.
Federal HUBZone Program — Government Contracting Set-Aside
Federal · SBA
Federal Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program reserves 3% of all federal contract dollars for qualifying small businesses. Hamilton County has multiple qualifying tracts. Once certified, you compete for set-aside contracts + receive 10% pricing preference in full-and-open competitions.
IHA Management Institute — Healthcare Manager Certificate
Private · IHA + IU O'Neill
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.
Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA) — Long-Term Care Workforce & Training
Private · IHCA
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.
Indiana Certified Peer Support Professional (CPSP) Certification — DMHA-Funded
State · Indiana FSSA/DMHA
DMHA-administered certification program preparing individuals with lived recovery experience to deliver peer support services in clinical settings. 48 hours of training plus a proctored exam at Ivy Tech statewide locations. DMHA absorbs all training and exam fees — no cost to the individual or employer. Certified peers can deliver Indiana Medicaid-billable services for behavioral health and SUD providers.
ASPIN — Community Health Worker & Peer Recovery Specialist Certification (Carmel-based)
State · ASPIN
ASPIN, headquartered in Carmel (Hamilton County), is Indiana's oldest CHW training provider (since 2009) and an approved Indiana Employer Training Grant provider. Two core certifications: Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW, $1,250, 47+ hours, Medicaid-billable per IHCP Bulletin BT2024198) and Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (CPRSS, $2,000, includes NAADAC credentialing, requires 2 years SUD recovery). Specialty add-ons in chronic care, domestic violence, opioid-impacted families, and leadership.
Indiana Bankers Association — Future Leadership Division & BankTalentHQ
Private · Indiana Bankers Association
The Indiana Bankers Association (rebranded indiana.bank) is the statewide trade association for Indiana banks. Member resources include the Future Leadership Division (next-generation banker development), the Commercial Lending School, Universal Banker Certification, a Soft Skills Webinar Series, the BankLEAD Internships student pipeline program, BankTalentHQ (the national banking job board), an annual industry compensation survey, and Google Groups peer-learning forums. Most resources are member-only; BankTalentHQ job postings are open to any banking employer. Built for community and regional banks of all sizes.
SHRM Toolkits & Ask an HR Advisor
Private · SHRM
SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world. SHRM members access an extensive library of free toolkits (sample policies, I-9 audit checklist, job analysis toolkit, performance review templates, employee handbook templates), the Ask an HR Advisor service (unlimited phone/email questions answered by a certified HR consultant), the Vendor Directory for HR tech selection, and the SHRM Foundation's free workforce-development research. Professional membership ~$264/yr; one membership covers an HR practitioner who can serve a small firm with no dedicated HR staff.
Coursera Career Academy — Free Courses & Google/IBM Career Certificates
Private · Coursera, Inc.
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.
Hospitality Indiana — Membership + ServSafe Training
Private · Hospitality Indiana
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.
ServSafe Food Manager & Food Handler Certification
Private · National Restaurant Association
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.
Indiana DWD Office of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship (OWBLA)
State · Indiana DWD
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.
AHLEI START — Hotel Line-Staff Certification
Private · AHLEI
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.