Page 45 - FDI Alliance International Magazine | September 2018 1

Customized workforce solutions for
employers
Michigan City and LaPorte County have a vibrant
economy that needs more professionals in a num-
ber of industry sectors such as computer science,
information technology support, hospitality adminis-
tration, logistics and supply chain management, ed-
ucation business administration, medical assisting,
advanced manufacturing and the skilled building
trades since an entire generation of workers is retir-
ing in large numbers, Ivy Tech Community College
Michigan City Campus President Dr. Peter Linden
said.

“Collectively viewed, a sustainable employee devel-
opment pipeline is essential making a description
of Michigan City’s workforce more of a focus on
effectively reaching the community,” Linden said.
“Outreach entails informing students, parents and
community leaders of the many career opportuni-
ties indicative of the modern workplace and today’s
globally integrated economy. As a result, Michigan
City Area Schools and Ivy Tech Community Col- high-skilled position. the administration has worked to address specialized
lege’s Michigan City Campus partner in developing “Expanding our curricular partnership beyond pro- workforce needs for local businesses with an interna-
high school and adult education students for viable viding dual-credit college courses, our proposed ini- tional presence, such as Dwyer Instruments.
career paths while ensuring a seamless transition to tiative will meet employers’ needs locally and across
Ivy Tech.” LaPorte County by offering skilled technician training “It is not unusual for me to work closely with busi-
when the center’s normally scheduled courses are ness and industry executives including CEOs and
Ivy Tech’s local leadership met with Michigan City not in session thereby expanding workforce devel- HR directors as well as labor leaders, directors of
schools to discuss use of lab and shop space at the opment capacity,” Linden said. “This will also cre- economic development, superintendents, principals
A.K. Smith Career Center, which serves all LaPorte ate another avenue for students to earn a college and local officials such as the mayor and city plan-
County high schools with job training programs credential – by way of workforce training. Industrial ner,” he said. “Meetings are often focused, directly or
such as automotive services technology, construc- technology, machine tool, welding and advanced indirectly, on workforce development and the local
tion technology, facility maintenance, welding, manufacturing courses were proposed. Once final economy. With this in mind, my prompt response to
modern machine technology, and the Health Ca- approval is received, we could possibly begin offer- the operational needs of a business is normal.”
reers Academy. The career center teaches students ing our first courses at the career center later this fall.”
with classroom, lab and real-world experiences in a Michigan City works with potential investors and
work-oriented environment. Ivy Tech’s Michigan City Campus has recently hired existing employers on tax abatements, infrastructure
full-time faculty members to help meet the city’s and even on land in some cases, Meer said. But
Students going directly into the workforce into fields workforce needs. most importantly, it works to ensure there’s a pipeline
like automotive, welding, machining and hospitality of suitable job candidates.
are celebrated at a signing day ceremony at the A.K. “Accomplished faculty with applicable industry expe-
Smith Career Center like what college athletes get, rience were approved for information technology, “We know businesses need the resource of human
LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Di- logistics and supply chain management and indus- beings who have the skills, capabilities and work
rector Audra Peterson said. trial technology,” Linden said. “We also hired a full- ethic,” he said. “In Michigan City and LaPorte Coun-
time early college coach who is engaged at area ty, we make sure workers are prepared to enter the
The Career Center’s curriculum is crafted with in- high schools, A. K. Smith Career Center and with workforce and get the training or retraining needed
put from local employers like Urschel Laboratories, adult education students. During summer 2018, our so they’re prepared to do the work. Our school sys-
Dekker Vacuum Technologies and Sullivan-Palatek. Michigan City Campus also initiated its first associate tem is competitive with any in Northwest Indiana.”
degree accelerated program – in elementary edu- The Economic Development Corporation Michigan
“We quite often work hand-in-hand with employ- cation.” City, Indiana, the schools, the city and other com-
ers,” Peterson said. “We have to make sure the kids munity partners have been working on both place
are getting what they need, so we tailor the edu- Ivy Tech’s applied programs have industry-specific making and workforce development in all sectors.
cation to the training and skills employers need... advisory boards that convene regularly.
We’re always looking for more partners, whether “We want to see white-collar jobs, blue-collar jobs,
that’s internships, job shadowing or talks in the “Giving freely of their time, talent and expertise, pro- e-commerce and banking,” Hulse said. “We want
classroom.” gram advisory board members are business lead- people to come here and to stay here to live, work,
ers who ensure our offerings are attuned to industry and play. I believe we have a stellar workforce that
The A.K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City of- needs and trends,” Linden said. “Members provide allows us to play in the big leagues. Our workforce
fers 14 programs, all of which are set up for students input into curricular updating to assure programs re- pipelines, education and quality of life ensure that
to earn certification and some of which include du- main current and hire students.” local companies can be successful. Several partners
al-credit courses. It will start offering enough this fall are working together to help educate and maintain
for high school students to graduate with both a high The community college is adding a board of trustees the talent pool.”
school diploma and an associate degree that would this fall that will help guide the campus, and most of
allow them to immediately enter the workforce in a the trustees are business leaders, Linden said. And

FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 45