Before You Apply

Start with a diploma or GED

Almost every apprenticeship and most employers require a high school diploma or high school equivalency (HSE, formerly called the GED). If you don't have one yet, that's the first step, and it's free for Indiana residents through adult education programs.

Who this is for

  • You're 16 or older and not currently in high school
  • You left high school before graduating
  • You want to brush up on reading, writing, or math before applying to training or an apprenticeship

What adult education offers

  • Classes to earn Indiana's High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma
  • Reading, writing, and math help, including the math many apprenticeship tests require
  • English classes for people learning English
  • Some programs also offer job certifications while you study

Near Bloomington

  1. MCCSC Adult Education (Broadview Learning Center)

    705 W. Coolidge Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403 · (812) 330-7731. Free for Indiana residents. For adults and out-of-school youth age 16 and up.

Anywhere in Indiana

  1. Find a free program

    Find a free adult education program near you by county or ZIP code.

  2. Ask WorkOne

    You can also ask your local WorkOne office for help.

What you can do while you work on your HSE

  1. Start a safety credential

    Some safety credentials, like OSHA 10, have no diploma requirement, so you can start one now.

  2. Practice math

    Many apprenticeship tests check algebra and reading.

  3. Plan your next step

    Take the Pathway Survey to plan your next step.

Still in high school?

  1. Start at your school

    Talk to your school counselor or your local career center about trade classes and certifications you can earn before you graduate.

Last checked: October 2026

More guides

Take the pathway survey

Apprenticeships

The five parts, pre-apprenticeships, and union vs. merit routes.

Cost & Funding

Who pays, FAFSA, the 2026–27 grant limit, and Ivy Tech's two ways in.

Local Help

WorkOne offices in South Central Indiana, local training, rides, and childcare support.

Employer Training

Employers that train on the job, and what to ask them.

Workplace Basics

What employers expect in your first weeks, as a quick checklist.