For the next several months, we’re going to share information with you on resources provided by WorkOne. Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and its WorkOne Centers are spread throughout the state to assist job seekers, youth, and employers.
In 1933, Congress created the federal workforce system to connect job seekers and employers; provide unemployment insurance services; and support employment programs by providing 
access to employment, training, and educational services.
Twelve regions across the state of Indiana operate 70 different locations for Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development. See the regional map and WorkOne contact list for contact information in your area. Some WorkOne offices are open five days a week, and some are open on a modified schedule, depending on their location and a community’s need.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development helps with unemployment insurance claims and helps individuals find work if they are on unemployment. It also:
- provides COVID 19-related information,
- offers work-based learning and apprenticeship programs,
- provides career training and adult education,
- offers business services,
- coordinates Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), and
- provides Veteran Services.
This month, we are highlighting two programs at WorkOne Centers: Jobs for America’s Graduates Indiana (JAG) and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG).
JAG Serves Youth
JAG Indiana is a program that started in 2006 and serves youth aged 16–24 who are in school, out of school, or who have dropped out at some point in their education and have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences. The program helps youth to stay focused and empowered to succeed through graduation. It also helps to assess and remediate barriers to youth success and graduation. JAG Indiana has served over 30,000 youth in the in-school program with a graduation rate of 96% and is available in 130 locations across the state. Students receive mentoring while they are in the program and follow-up counseling to assist with their continued success for one year after graduation.
The out-of-school youth program component serves over 4,000 youth across the state annually. This program helps teens and young adults obtain a degree and assists them with employment placement. Currently, the out-of-school youth program has a greater than 80% employment rate for young adults who work with WorkOne youth case managers for one year. The case managers with the program assist with evaluations and working on barriers to success with employment.
JVSG Serves Veterans and Spouses
JVSG, the second program we want to tell you about, is committed to assisting those who have served in the military. In 2019, the program served 1,473 veterans in the state of Indiana. It supports 20-30% of veterans to re-enter work through the workforce career centers. The program is not just designed to serve veterans but can also serve spouses of veterans. The program provides eligible veterans/spouses with the necessary information to find and secure suitable employment and to make a transition from the military to the civilian workforce.
To be eligible for JVSG services, the individual must be a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or otherwise eligible veteran under the stipulated criteria as defined in U.S. Code Title 38. WorkOne has a priority of moving veterans and their spouses to the front of the line for more expedient service. Each office has an onsite veteran’s representative who served in the military and received an honorable discharge.
JVSG emphasizes the critical importance of supporting veterans/spouses during the transition to civilian employment. Veterans and spouses can also explore training programs, training incentives, and training grants through the JVSG program.
DWD offers a great tool called Transition Time for Veterans. This interactive tool allows veterans to estimate the preparation time required to transition from their military occupation to another one in Indiana. “Transition time,” while measured in weeks of academic, technical, or vocational training, is a measure to provide an estimate of the relative time moving from one type of job to another. This method, in effect, compares the similarity of education and training between occupations.
Visit Your Local WorkOne to Explore the Opportunities
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development offers programs to help with career exploration and assessments through Indiana Career Connect, a tool available to any WorkOne customer. They also provide direct referrals to jobs and assistance with looking for a job, developing a resume, and prepping for an interview. The program can also help with referrals to other federal, state, and local agencies and can share information on rights and employment benefits.
We will continue our look at the programs offered at WorkOne Centers, but we encourage you to consider visiting your local WorkOne to explore what is available for your use as you support individuals seeking employment.