State-funded one-year, post-graduate residencies for aspiring K-12 teachers. Residents receive intensive classroom training under a mentor teacher in participating Indiana school corporations or charter schools.

Federally funded job training, education, and support services for eligible adults (18+). Provides job search help, intensive services for those with barriers, and funding for vocational training through American Job Centers (WorkOne).

Helps workers who have been laid off get back to work quickly. Services include retraining, career counseling, job search assistance, and support services through WorkOne centers.

Education and employment services for eligible youth (ages 14-24) facing barriers. Includes tutoring, work experience (paid/unpaid), skills training, mentoring, and career guidance. Focus on out-of-school youth.

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

Free math, reading, and writing instruction to help adults acquire skills for a high school equivalency diploma, college readiness, or entry-level occupational certification.

Provides paid work training experiences for low-income job seekers 55 years of age and older.

Pre-apprenticeship program that prepares participants for quality jobs by providing construction training and hands-on experience building affordable housing. Includes wrap-around supportive services.

Landmark expansion of Pell Grants to short-term workforce training programs (150-599 hours, 8-15 weeks). Signed into law July 4, 2025 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Effective July 1, 2026. Unlike traditional Pell, bachelor's degree holders ARE eligible. NPRM published March 9, 2026 — comment period closes April 8, 2026.

Financial and academic support for youth who have aged out of foster care. Covers tuition/fees, room and board, books, transportation, childcare, and medical costs at accredited institutions.

Connects individuals with past legal involvement to jobs, training, and support services. Provides job readiness skills, resume building, and long-term career coaching with partner businesses.

Employment resources and support for Hoosiers receiving SNAP or TANF, including free job skills training, HSE/ESL classes, certified training programs, career assessments, resume assistance, and wrap-around support.

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

$5,000 annually ($1,250/quarter) for eligible students to pursue apprenticeships, applied learning, work-based learning, and career credentials. Covers education, transportation, equipment, career coaching, and certification exams.

Hands-on, skills-based education across 14 career clusters. Programs of study focus on in-demand occupations. Provides federal funding for CTE equipment, instruction, and career guidance.

High school students earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, reducing time and cost to earn a degree or credential.

State-approved industry certifications that high school students can earn for free through CTE pathways. These employer-vetted credentials satisfy Graduation Pathway requirements and lead to high-demand careers.

State incentive that pays schools when students earn approved industry credentials before graduation. While the grant goes to the school (not the student), it funds more CTE programs and exam opportunities for you.

Free employment services, job skills training, and support for Hoosiers receiving SNAP benefits. Includes clothing assistance ($300/year), transportation ($125/month), and paid work training.

Largest in-the-nation JAG program. Free 2-credit employability skills class for at-risk middle/high school and community college students, plus 12 months of post-graduation follow-up.

Employment training, English classes, cultural orientation, and job placement for refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and trafficking victims in Indiana. Services can last up to 5 years.

Free education and vocational training for incarcerated individuals: GED prep, college degrees, industry certifications, and USDOL registered apprenticeships. Available at 15 IDOC facilities.

Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. Save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Funds cover education, training, transportation, and more.

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.

Federally funded voucher that pays most or all of the cost of licensed child care for working parents or parents in school/training. Family income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty level at entry. Children up to age 13 (or 19 with special needs). Indiana administers via FSSA's Office of Early Childhood. Note: a waitlist is in place; FSSA is resuming new enrollments in late May 2026 with a 14,000-slot expansion. Priority goes to OMW Pre-K applicants, families under 100% FPL, and child care workers.

State-funded program providing free, high-quality Pre-K to 4-year-olds from working/training/in-school families at or below 135% FPL. Slot at a participating PTQ Level 3+ provider. For 2026-27 school year, child must be 4 by August 1, 2026.

Free adult high school diploma program (Excel Center) for Hoosiers age 18+ who lack a high school diploma — accredited diploma, free childcare during class, transportation assistance, and free college credentials embedded. Closest Excel Centers to Hamilton County: Anderson, Lafayette Square (Indianapolis), Meadows (Indianapolis Northeast), Noblesville. Goodwill also operates Nurse-Family Partnership free home-visiting nursing for first-time low-income mothers across Central Indiana including Hamilton County.

Indiana's official recovery hub, run by Mental Health America of Indiana with FSSA-DMHA support. Free statewide directory of Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs), peer recovery specialists, and recovery support meetings organized around SAMHSA's four dimensions: Health, Home, Purpose, Community. Includes an interactive RCO map, peer-connection matching, and recovery training programs. Best one-stop entry point for someone in early recovery looking for community-based (non-clinical) support.

Indiana's statewide community college with a full Hamilton County campus at 300 N. 17th Street, Noblesville. Offers short-term certificates (Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, CDL, HVAC, Welding), Technical Certificates (1 yr), and Associate degrees in healthcare, construction trades, advanced manufacturing, business, social services, and IT. Eight-week terms let students stack credentials quickly. Most short-track programs run under 12 months and lead to family-sustaining wages.

Five-year registered apprenticeship sponsored by the United Association Local 440 covering plumbing, pipefitting, steamfitting, and HVAC-R. Apprentices earn a paycheck while training: 1,700-2,000 hours of on-the-job training per year plus minimum 246 hours of classroom instruction. No tuition cost to the apprentice. Serves the full Indianapolis metro including all of Hamilton County. Graduates earn journeyworker status with union wages and benefits.

Joint apprenticeship of IBEW Local 481 and NECA offering two paid registered apprenticeships: a 5-year Electrician (Inside Wireman) program and a 3-year Telecommunications (VDV) program. Apprentices earn weekly wages on signatory contractor job sites plus benefits while attending at least 16 hours of classroom instruction per month. No tuition. Jurisdiction covers Indianapolis and surrounding counties including Hamilton.

Four-year registered apprenticeship for carpenters, millwrights, floor coverers, and pile drivers covering Indiana and Kentucky. The Greenwood, IN training center (711 Greenwood Springs Drive) is the closest to Hamilton County. 'Earn as you learn' model: paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction at no cost to the apprentice. Graduates earn journeyworker credentials with union wages and benefits.

Merit-shop (non-union) DOL-registered apprenticeship covering Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Pipefitting, Roofing, and Sheet Metal. Indianapolis training center at 5001 N. Shadeland Ave. Hybrid and traditional formats; 8,000 hours of OJT to earn journeyworker credential. Apprentices can also earn an AAS degree from Vincennes University while completing the program.

Class A CDL training partnership with Ivy Tech on the Noblesville campus (300 North 17th Street). Full-time daytime and evening Class A CDL programs aligned with FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations — students can be road-ready in as little as 5 weeks. Combines classroom instruction with hands-on driving practice. Tuition self-pay; eligible for state Workforce Ready Grant funding. Local trucking employers actively recruit graduates.

Indianapolis-based nonprofit coding and tech bootcamp, now operated by Indiana Wesleyan University following a 2024 acquisition. Currently transitioning to short-term programs of 5 weeks or less focused on AI, software development, and cybersecurity. Multiple payment paths include upfront tuition, loan financing, and a Progressive Income Share Agreement (PISA) where students pay nothing until they graduate AND earn at least $42,000/year. Tuition-free seats also available through partner scholarships.

Indiana's tech industry growth nonprofit (Indianapolis-based) offering free workforce resources for residents exploring tech careers. Includes free access to Infosys Springboard (digital skills learning platform), free virtual work simulations through The Forage, the largest Indiana-only tech job board, and the Careers in Tech resource hub demystifying Indiana's tech landscape and pathways. Xtern is a separate paid summer internship program for college students.

Indiana's official searchable directory of state-approved occupational training programs. Combines two lists: INTraining (programs meeting basic eligibility standards) and the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL, programs meeting additional performance criteria and eligible for WIOA funding). Filter by provider, location, county, program type, delivery method (online/in-person), and credential earned. Essential pre-enrollment tool for any HC resident planning a training program.

Twin federal career-exploration platforms developed by the U.S. Department of Labor / Employment & Training Administration. O*NET OnLine (onetonline.org) is the in-depth occupational database covering 900+ careers with tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, wages, and outlook. My Next Move (mynextmove.org) is the simplified consumer-facing version that includes the O*NET Interest Profiler — a 30-question RIASEC assessment producing personalized career suggestions. Both are completely free, no account required, and the gold standard for career exploration in the U.S.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop is the federal hub for free career exploration, job search, training search, salary data, and credential research. Specialized portals include mySkills myFuture (skill-transfer for career changers), GetMyFuture (ages 14-24), Veteran and Military Transition Center, and Justice-Impacted Job Seekers re-entry tools. 800+ captioned career videos. Free hotline 1-877-US2-JOBS connects callers to local workforce resources.

Industry-recognized professional certificates from Google in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management, and UX Design. Designed to be job-ready in 3-6 months with no prior degree or experience. Approximately $39-49/month on Coursera (about $234 total at typical pace), but 100,000 need-based scholarships make the program free for qualifying learners. Completion unlocks CareerCircle — free 1-on-1 coaching, interview prep, and a job board connecting to 150+ employers in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium.

Free global digital-skilling platform from IBM with 1,000+ online courses covering cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, AI, software engineering, and professional/workplace skills (Design Thinking, communication, project management). Self-paced, online, includes shareable digital credentials/badges on completion. Used by millions of learners worldwide. Especially valuable for HC residents wanting to test interest in a tech pathway before committing tuition to a bootcamp or degree program.