(The Center Square) – Indiana recently launched a Digital Resource Hub for Work-Based Learning in K-12 schools as part of a new initiative the state hopes will increase work-readiness in high school graduates.

The Work-Based Learning Digital Resource Hub comes on the heels of the new Indiana high school diploma requirements that went into effect last academic year and will apply to the graduating class of 2029.

The new requirements feature individualized goal setting, whether for higher education, military service or the workforce, and offers badges for student involvement and experience in their chosen path.

“We are in a transitional time where work-based learning is becoming increasingly important,” said James McNeany, executive director of the Indiana Non-Public School Association. “Having work-based Learning resources all in one place is certainly helpful for our schools.”

Ascend Indiana received $100,000 in federal taxpayer funds for the program.

“The funding is from the discretionary portion of the federal Carl D. Perkins Act, which supports career and technical education,” said Griffin Reid, press secretary for Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. “In turn, employers benefit from cultivating a strong pipeline of future talent.”

The development of the hub is a partnership between the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's Office of Career and Technical Education and Ascend Indiana, a program of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership. The latter includes leaders of foundations and universities as well as corporations.

There is no cost to schools to participate. However, for non-public schools to participate in Indiana’s choice scholarships, they must align with the work-readiness guidelines required by the new diploma.

“Legally non-public schools don’t have to participate, but it is advantageous and most schools do,” McNeany said. “We have a great partnership with the department of education and any time they roll something out that is good for schools we are happy to incorporate it.”