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Lebanon Workforce Development Options
Watchdog Indiana Home Page
Watchdog Lebanon Home Page
NOTE: Sources for the information included on this web page include those
listed next.
(a) “Integrated Workforce Plan” prepared by the Indiana Department of
Workforce Development for the time period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2017:
see http://www.in.gov/dwd/files/PY2012-StatePlan.pdf.
(b) Learn More Indiana: see http://www.in.gov/learnmoreindiana/.
(c) WorkOne: see http://www.in.gov/dwd/WorkOne/.
(d) Indiana Department of Workforce Development Career Training and Adult
Education: see http://www.in.gov/dwd/2678.htm.
(e) College Board Advanced Placement Program: see https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-aps.
Overview
According to Indiana’s Integrated Workforce Plan – “When comparing the education and training needed for the high wage/high demand jobs of the future with the educational attainment data of Indiana’s workforce, it becomes apparent that a gap exists between educational attainment among the workforce and the educational requirements of high wage/high demand jobs in the State. Whereas 10.8 percent of the high wage/high demand jobs in Indiana calls for an associate degree, currently only 7 percent of Indiana’s workforce has obtained an associate’s degree. Likewise, 24.5 percent of high wage/high demand jobs will require a bachelor’s degree, and currently, only 15 percent of Indiana’s workforce has obtained one. And, perhaps more importantly, nearly all high wage/high demand jobs will require training or work experience beyond the high school level, but 13 percent of Indiana’s workforce has not earned a high school diploma or equivalent.”
It is distressing, and an impediment to smart growth in Lebanon, that 41.4 percent of Lebanon’s students have family incomes low enough to qualify for free and reduced price lunches. Part of the reason for the low family incomes is that too many of Lebanon students and adults have not attained the educational requirements needed to get a job that pays a Get-Ahead Wage of at least $20 an hour: see http://www.finplaneducation.net/get_ahead_wage.htm.
Listed below are several options that exist, or are planned, for Lebanon’s student and adult workforce to develop the skills needed to pursue fulfilling careers that pay a Get-Ahead Wage. It appears that considerable coordination improvements could be implemented to better involve the various stakeholders in marketing and making available the various Lebanon workforce development options. Perhaps a Lebanon Mayor Workforce Roundtable that meets regularly could help in this regard.
1. High School Graduation Plan
All Indiana students are required by state law to create a High School Graduation Plan to reach college and career goals: see http://www.in.gov/learnmoreindiana/2587.htm. Indiana’s Graduation Plan begins in grade 6. In grades 8 and 9, high school courses are planned with a counselor. Committing to a Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors or Technical Honors can be very beneficial. Some Indiana colleges only accept students with Honors. Apprenticeship programs often look for students with Technical Honors. In grades 10 through 12, the Graduation Plan is reviewed at least once a year to keep track of ISTEP+ and End-of-Course Assessment scores. Tests like the SAT and ACT are required for college admissions. In addition to the required courses for a diploma, there is the option to take dual high school and college credit courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Part of the Graduation Plan is to take an interest assessment such as Indiana Career Explorer (http://www.indianacareerexplorer.com/) or My Next Move (http://www.mynextmove.org/). Another part of the Graduation Plan is to explore colleges and careers. Whether just graduating from school, or in the market for a career change, Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs (https://netsolutions.dwd.in.gov/hh50/) is a listing of the 50 fastest growing, high-wage Hoosier jobs of today and which jobs will be in demand by 2022.
1.A. Lebanon Community School Corporation Advanced Placement Program
One way to obtain the needed training after high school for high wage/high demand jobs is to attain a college degree. Lebanon High School, and the other three public high schools attended by Boone County students, have established an Advanced Placement Program to better prepare their students to succeed in college.
The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. The Program provides motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. AP courses are taught by high school teachers who follow course guidelines developed and published by the College Board. Students who participate in the Program not only gain college-level skills, but in many cases they also earn college credit while they are still in high school. Over 90 percent of the nation's colleges and universities have an AP policy granting credit and/or advanced placement to incoming students who qualify with AP exam scores of 3 or higher. More AP information is available online at https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-aps.
Listed next are the AP courses currently offered by the four public high schools attended by Boone County students. It is noteworthy that Zionsville High School offers several more AP courses than Lebanon High School, Sheridan High School, and Western Boone High School.
Lebanon High School
currently offers the following 12 AP courses:Sheridan High School
currently offers the following 11 AP courses:Western Boone High School
currently offers the following 10 AP courses:Zionsville High School
currently offers the following 21 AP courses:According to the latest Annual Performance Reports from the Indian Department
of Education, the percentages of 2014 Boone County High School graduates taking
AP exams are as follows (the statewide average was 33.5 percent):
33.6 percent of Lebanon High School graduates
43.8 percent of Sheridan High School graduates
48.7 percent of Western Boone High School graduates
75.5 percent of Zionsville High School graduates
Listed next is some Lebanon High School AP exams data compared to the Statewide average, Sheridan High School, Western Boone High School, and Zionsville High School. The twos sources of this data are (a) a tabulation presented to the Lebanon Community School Corporation School Board by the Lebanon High School Principal on August 18 and (b) Annual Performance Reports from the Indiana Department of Education. While the methodology applied by the Indiana Department of Education appeared to change in 2013, the data is still useful for comparison purposes.
2016 AP Exams
2015 AP Exams
2014 AP Exams
2013 AP Exams
2012 AP Exams
2011 AP Exams
2010 AP Exams
The conclusions listed next for the Lebanon High School AP Program result from an analysis of the foregoing information.
(1) Lebanon High School’s reasonably good mix of AP course offerings could be enhanced with additional AP courses.
(2) While the number of Lebanon High School students taking AP exams has increased some, more LHS students need to be encouraged to take the challenging AP courses and exams.
(3) While the percent of Lebanon High School AP Exams with a score a 3, 4, or 5 is a little above the statewide average, the considerably better performance by Zionsville High School graduates indicates that LHS teachers and students can do a better job of preparation to score better on the AP exams.
In summary, Lebanon High School needs to continue its emphasis on having more of its graduates take AP courses and achieve a good score on the AP Exams. Also, the entire Lebanon community must undergo a culture change where more parents and students recognize that maximum use must be made of the K-12 school years to prepare for the training that is needed after high school to get fulfilling jobs that pay a Get-Ahead Wage.
2. College Completion Plan
A college completion plan is a roadmap for all two, four, or more years of college: see http://www.in.gov/learnmoreindiana/2614.htm. A college advisor can help develop a list of the specific courses that must be taken each semester to complete a course of study and graduate on time. Internships will help explore a career path and strengthen a resume when searching for jobs – Indiana INTERNnet can help identify good internship possibilities: see https://indianaintern.net/. Hoosier students from low-income families can enroll in the Indiana 21st Century Scholars program as early as seventh grade (but no later than June 30 of their eighth-grade year) to qualify for a scholarship that pays an amount equal to four years of undergraduate tuition at an Indiana four-year public college: see http://scholars.in.gov/.
3. Career Advancement Plan
Adults can establish short-term and long-term career goals – and the education, training, or on-the-job experience needed to complete each step: see http://www.in.gov/learnmoreindiana/2643.htm. Indiana has several resources to help find a job. Indiana Career Connect (https://www.indianacareerconnect.com/vosnet/Default.aspx) links to hundreds of jobs across the state. A local WorkOne Center (http://www.in.gov/dwd/WorkOne/) has resources to connect to job openings. Search for State of Indiana job openings at careers.IN.gov (http://www.in.gov/spd/careers/). JobHero has some resume samples for various job titles that can be used to help prepare a first resume or update an existing resume: see http://www.jobhero.com/.
3.A. You Can. Go Back.
Employers can partner with the State of Indiana "You Can. Go Back" effort to find ways to support the 750,000 Hoosier adults who started but did not complete their college degrees or career credential. See http://www.youcangoback.org/employer.
4. Lebanon Community School Corporation Career Counselor and Community Work Partnership Coordinator
The new Career Counselor (Kristen Scott, scottkk@leb.k12.in.us) at the Lebanon schools will provide leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive career education program that promotes knowledge of careers and all types of employment opportunities, and that emphasizes to students the advantages of completing school with marketable skills.
5. Vincennes University Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment Program
Eligible Lebanon High School juniors and seniors may be able to enroll in the Vincennes University Project EXCEL dual credit/concurrent enrollment program (http://www.vinu.edu/projectexcel) at the new Lebanon Vincennes University Gene Haas Training and Education Center. The earliest that the Project EXCEL program might be established at Lebanon High School is Fall 2016.
6. Lebanon WorkOne Center
The WorkOne Express at 125 Lakeshore Drive in Lebanon (Phone 765-482-0160, Fax 765-482-0178) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. WorkOne staff can help find a new or better job, choose a career, access training, or get the information needed to succeed in today’s economy. WorkOneWorks.com provides valuable information about WorkOne programs see http://www.in.gov/dwd/WorkOne/.
7. WorkKeys
WorkKeys enables Hoosiers to examine their individual strengths and weaknesses and also compare their skills to job profiles which can help substantially when looking for jobs or career advancement opportunities. The program helps ensure Hoosiers find the right jobs to be successful. Visit Lebanon’s WorkOne Center for more information about skills assessments, or visit the webpage at http://www.in.gov/dwd/2418.htm to learn more about the available assessments.
8. WorkINdiana Program
Adults can access the WorkINdiana program through Lebanon’s WorkOne Center. The WorkINdiana program (http://www.in.gov/dwd/adulted_workin.htm) allows adults to earn a high school equivalency certificate, improve skills in an Adult Education classroom, and earn a career certificate giving the boost needed to get a better job. There are 34 certifications to choose from to start a career in Advanced Manufacturing, Business Administration and Support, Health Care, Hospitality, Information Technology, or Transportation and Logistics.
9. National Career Readiness Certificate
Information about the National Career Readiness Certificate can be obtained through Lebanon’s WorkOne Center. The National Career Readiness Certificate shows Hoosier employers that the certificate holder has the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
10. End-of-Course Assessment Testing
Adult students who need the End-of-Course Assessments (ECAs) in Algebra I and/or English 10 for high school graduation can now take them at an Adult Education Site. ECA Testing is available in spring and in fall. The ECA testing site for Lebanon is Washington Township Adult Basic Education, Northview Middle School Address, 8401 Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (Phone 317-259-5275, Hours Available M-Th 8 AM-7:30 PM and F 7:30 AM-4:00 PM).
11. High School Equivalency Diploma
See http://www.in.gov/dwd/adulted_hse_testing.htm for information regarding the Indiana High School Equivalency Diploma that is based on the completion of a comprehensive test. A High School Equivalency Diploma program is offered during morning classes at the Lebanon Public Library.
12. Veteran Services
At Lebanon’s WorkOne Center, veterans have an onsite veteran’s representative that assists with employment needs. Services provided to veterans include direct job referrals, resume development, training and grant assistance, interview coaching, and much more. Visit www.in.gov/dwd/2424.htm for more information.
13. Veteran Opportunity Partner
Companies can fill out an application at http://www.in.gov/dva/2678.htm to join the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veteran Opportunity Partner by offering veterans career opportunities in the state of Indiana. The "Veterans Jobs Index" web page at http://www.in.gov/dva/veteranjobs.htm links veterans reentering the workplace following their deployment with employers and the vocational training required by employers. Indiana's Veteran Opportunity Program is a streamlined resource for Hoosier veterans looking to continue, advance or change their career path or receive additional training or services once their service is completed.
14. WIN Career Readiness
WIN Career Readiness Courseware (http://www.in.gov/dwd/2710.htm) is free online training available to all Indiana residents and employers. WIN uses real-world situations that could be faced at work to build relevant job skills. WIN can give the boost needed to update skills and stay competitive in the job market. This free training is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through http://ingov.wincshost.com/.
15. INTraining
INTraining presents a broad and diverse selection of occupational training choices to support the employment goals of Indiana's workforce. All training providers and programs are compliant with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and Indiana state policy. INTraining allows a search by provider, location, program, or career to help find the educational program that best suits the student’s needs: see https://solutions.dwd.in.gov/INTraining/index.htm.
16. On-The-Job Training
The On-the-Job Training (OJT) program offers unemployed or underemployed Hoosiers training for a new career while earning a paycheck. The benefit to OJT is that someone can start a new career today, instead of traditional training which must be completed before starting a career, and earn a paycheck while being trained. Contact Lebanon’s WorkOne Center to participate in the OJT program.
17. Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit for private, for-profit employers to encourage hiring jobseekers who traditionally have difficulty finding employment, such as some Hoosier Veteran groups, individuals who have utilized welfare programs, ex-felons, disabled individuals and certain groups of Hoosier youth: see http://www.in.gov/dwd/wotc.htm.
18. Hoosier Initiative for Re-Entry
Hiring ex-offenders who are released from Indiana prisons can help them reintegrate into society so they become a taxpayer instead of a tax burden. Hiring ex-offenders is also a win for employers because ex-offenders are overwhelmingly dependable and punctual and the turnover rate is atypically low because they are loyal to those who have given them a second chance. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development coordinates with the Indiana Department of Corrections to administer the HIRE program: see http://www.in.gov/dwd/2732.htm. Employers who hire ex-offenders may be eligible for Federal Bonding, a theft insurance program. This program allows employers to profit from an employee’s skills and ability without taking the risk of potential theft or dishonesty. Hiring an ex-offender could also qualify a business for a tax credit of up to $9,600 per eligible employee.
19. Boone County Community Corrections and Probation
The Boone County Community Corrections and Probation Departments administer various programs to help ex-offenders attain gainful employment.
20. Boone County Sheriff's Office
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office offers various programs to help prepare Boone County Jail inmates for gainful employment upon release.
21. Lebanon Vincennes University Gene Haas Training and Education Center
Starting January 2016, the new Education Center will offer the Vincennes University Machine Maintenance Technician NOW, CNC Machinist NOW, and Metrology programs. Additional information is available online at http://www.finplaneducation.net/lebanon_vu_center.htm.
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This page was last updated on 10/29/16 .