Washington Township using pandemic relief funds to provide free job training

Washington Township Adult Education on Tuesday announced plans to use $1 million in pandemic relief funding to offer free jobs-skills training to Marion County residents.

The money was part of the funding the city received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. EmployIndy, the county’s not-for-profit workforce investment board, distributed the funds to Washington Township Adult Education, which is part of the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township.

Available courses through the program will be offered online and in-person, depending on the field of study. Courses include dental assisting, certified clinical medical assistance, pharmacy tech, construction, appliance repair, electrical wiring, IT security, IT network tech, welding and commercial driver’s license.

The program will allow individuals who do not have a high school diploma to take the high school equivalency test—which is usually $115—for free. Basic education classes are also offered for free to help prepare for the test.

Officials said the job-skills training is available to any resident who enrolls in the program. Maximum benefits are available to those who enroll by Nov. 15. Details can be found at IndyAdultEd.com.

Prior to the pandemic, more than 84,000 Marion County residents ages 18 to 64 did not have a high school diploma or equivalency, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. About half of the Marion County residents who filed for unemployment during the pandemic through April 25 reported that they had a high school diploma or less.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has hit those with only a high school diploma or less the hardest,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, president and CEO of Employ Indy, in written remarks. “This program will help those individuals by providing training in much-needed career sectors, as well as allow employers to have access to a greater pool of talent.”