Friday is Manufacturing Day an annual event to get middle and high school students excited about manufacturing careers. But due to the pandemic, workforce agencies are adapting to reach students virtually.

Northwest Indiana leaders hope to stem a projected shrinking population -- and therefore workforce -- by 2025.

The online courses can take up to three months to complete and earn an industry-recognized certification.

Eligibility for the program, called Next Level Jobs, has been expanded through December for degree-holders by Gov. Eric Holcomb's administration using $40 million from the state's federal coronavirus relief fund.

The Indiana NAACP announced on Friday it will help fund the installation of solar panels on the roof of a community center in Evansville.

Indiana Tech is the state's first university approved to offer workforce training programs, paid for by the state as part of the Rapid Recovery Plan to get Hoosiers back to work.

The program's goal is to train individuals for full-time careers with competitive wages, access to benefits and a pathway to career advancement.

The Indiana Governors Workforce Cabinet says its expanding the states Next Level Jobs program with $37 million from the CARES Act. Its a major part of the states strategy to help Hoosiers recover from pandemic-related job losses.

The Indiana Governor's Workforce Cabinet, alongside state education and workforce agencies, announced a "Rapid Recovery For A Better Future" plan that adds millions of dollars to some existing education and job training programs.

Months into the pandemic, many desperate workers say they still havent received unemployment benefits. And as many WorkOne re-employment offices reopen by appointment this week, staff fear theyll be caught in the middle between those people and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.