SEAL
Indiana’s State Earn and Learn (SEAL) Program is a homegrown strategy to build and retain a pipeline of Hoosier talent.
Creating and investing in a homegrown talent pipeline is essential to keeping Indiana’s economy strong. According to DWD employment projections, by 2030, Indiana employers will need to fill an additional 227,000 jobs. Employers can retain their current talent in a competitive market by investing in their employees through a SEAL program. Employers can also recruit new employees and quickly upskill them to their specific tasks through a customized SEAL program that allows employees to learn and practice new skills while working and getting paid. Indiana employers need to change the workforce dynamic by becoming talent producers instead of merely talent consumers.
Employer benefits of SEAL programs include the following:
- Offers employers a flexible work-based learning strategy.
- Creates state certified, customized training plan that includes, classroom learning, paid on-the job learning, credential attainment, and rewards for skills gain.
- Provides immediate implementation of ideas, methods and technologies learned in the classroom to the workplace.
Employee benefits of SEAL programs include the following:
- Provides multiple paths to jobs and careers for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Assists employees in communicating their value, navigating career options, and accessing education.
- Allows employees to gain skills and credentials while getting paid for working.
SEAL Programs are certified through the OWBLA office.
Below are the elements of a quality SEAL program.
Ending wage (Minimum $15) must be higher than starting. | Participants are paid employees who work, learn, and enhance their skills while increasing their employer’s productivity |
200 Hr. Min. | Develops skilled workers through structured learning in a work setting |
40 Hr. Min. | Improves job-related skills through education in a classroom setting with college credit often available |
Recommended | Provides participants with the support of a skilled worker or mentor to assist and enhance critical hands-on learning |
Certification chosen from Indiana Promoted Industry Certification List | Offers a portable, nationally-recognized credential to be issued during or at the completion of the program |
$ | Participants may receive progressive wage increases as their skills and knowledge increase |
State Certified | All OWBLA WBL programs must go through a review process in order to become certified |