East Central Indiana is getting its chance to be recognized as a "talent region" by the state of Indiana. The distinction comes with promises by local leaders to find ways to attract and keep talented workers.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development will reopen a federal program on Jan. 22 that extends unemployment benefits.

Indiana workforce and education agencies have a goal of seeing at least 60 percent of Hoosiers get some post-secondary education by 2025.

Hoosiers earned more than 20,000 workforce certifications in 2019 according to a new report, many in health care or business sectors.

As a dying wish to her mother, 48-year-old Winona Parker vowed to get her high school diploma. Now, the former fast-food worker is enrolled in a pharmacy tech training program in Indianapolis. It will allow her to be certified in about four months to help serve pharmacy teams on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite increased state funding to prioritize training for high-demand jobs, there's little evidence more students are taking those classes.

The state is now enlisting the help of community leaders to reach people who could benefit from the program most.

Over the past year theres been a sizable increase in Indiana companies offering work based learning opportunities for high school and college students according to responses from almost 1,000 employers in an annual statewide survey.

A region encompassing Evansville and nearby Gibson County was designated a 21st Century Talent Region by the state Wednesday.

Agencies in central Indiana are launching a new apprenticeship program for up to 30 high school students next school year.