February 14, 2008

Partnership will result in 24 new jobs at the Logansport facility over the next two years.

LOGANSPORT, Ind.— Beginning June 2, Ivy Tech Community College will be partnering with Tyson Fresh Meats in Logansport to provide training for the meat producer’s 1+2 maintenance technician program. Participants in the program agree to complete one year of training as well as two addition years of regular employment.

As part of the program, Tyson plans on hiring 12 entry-level maintenance employees who will work for the company while receiving intensive training through Ivy Tech Community College. These new employees can expect to receive approximately 20 hours of paid training each week for their first year of employment. When not training with Ivy Tech during that first year, enrollees will spend the remainder of their time working and training at the Tyson facility in Logansport. The company will continue the training program in 2009 with another group of 12 employees.

For their hours of training, participants will earn Career Development Certificates from Ivy Tech in Maintenance Technician I and Maintenance Technician II as well as 36 college credit hours that can be applied toward degrees in Manufacturing and Industrial Technology. The courses will cover a broad array of basic skills and core maintenance competencies, including algebra, print reading, electricity and wiring, machine maintenance/installation, welding, motors and controls, fluid power basics and systems, shaft coupling alignment, programmable controllers and troubleshooting. Upon completion of the training, participants will earn a wage increase from $11 to $16.30 per hour, Tyson’s highest maintenance wage.

The training program establishes a long-term relationship between the Logansport Tyson facility and Ivy Tech Community College, with the primary goals of reducing maintenance turnover to single-digit levels and creating an on-going pipeline of skilled workers. Both Ivy Tech and Tyson are making strong commitments to the success of this project—Ivy Tech is purchasing specialized equipment to deliver the training while Tyson is dedicating corporate resources to oversee its successful implementation.

To be considered for employment, applicants must attend an information session about the 1+2 program that will include an overview of the program and an opportunity to take the COMPASS, an assessment test determining an applicant’s proficiencies in math and English. Five sessions will be offered—four in Logansport and one in Kokomo¬. The Logansport sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m on both March 11 and March 13. The Kokomo session will take place at noon on March 12. Space is limited! Register for an information session by calling Sue or Lynsey at Ivy Tech, (866) 753-5102, ext. 301. The deadline to register is March 5.

Ivy Tech Community College is the nation’s largest statewide community college system with a single accreditation and the state’s second largest, public, post-secondary institution with over 110,000 students enrolled annually (summer, fall, and spring semesters unduplicated headcount).  Ivy Tech serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering degrees and certificates that lead to good-paying jobs and credits that transfer to other Indiana colleges and universities, allowing students to pursue bachelor’s degrees.  It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  To learn more about Ivy Tech, visit www.ivytech.edu.