Ivy Tech Community College is Economic Development

One of the highest priority goals for east central Indiana is economic development-attracting more and higher-paying jobs. The very heart of Ivy Tech's unique mission-whether through credit programs or customized business and industry training-is economic development of our region through the education and training of our workforce. The following points illustrate the College's distinct role and critical importance in workforce and economic development in east central Indiana:

• Ivy Tech provides training and retraining for thousands of local workers each year through credit classes and noncredit, customized training programs delivered directly to business and industry.
  
  Fact: Over 5,000 credit and noncredit students served in the 2001-02 academic year.
  
  Ivy Tech is providing the training required for the Visteon scroll project. "In today's global economy, staying competitive requires an effective employee development program, and we have that thanks to our partnership with Ivy Tech's office of Business and Industry Training (BIT). BIT has consistently provided Visteon with quality, cost-effective training programs. They advertise training anytime, anywhere and they deliver." Bill Shillingford, retired plant manager, Visteon Automotive Systems.



• Ivy Tech teaches the skills needed in the workplace.
  
  Fact: Ivy Tech's curricula emphasize technical skills, critical thinking skills, positive attitudes, positive values, intrapersonal skills (self-discipline, self-assessment, and self-control), interpersonal skills, systemic skills, and judgmental skills.
  
  Students in the business administration program worked, in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) Collegiate Management Assistance Program, as consultants to existing small business by providing them with a needs assessment along with plans for addressing specific issues.



• Ivy Tech responds quickly to the needs of employers.
  
  Fact: More than 125 representatives of business and industry currently serve on Ivy Tech's local program advisory committees providing input and guidance on program content.
  
  Scott Williams, quality assurance assembly training manager at Ahaus Tool and Engineering Inc., completed the apprenticeship program through Ahaus Tool & Engineering and with additional courses at Ivy Tech, completed his associates degree. Scott serves on the manufacturing technologies program advisory committee, he knows what business and industry requires and guides the course offerings to meet industry's needs.



• Ivy Tech graduates stay in Indiana.
  
  Fact: Approximately 93 percent of Ivy Tech graduates stay in east central Indiana after graduation where they live, work, pay taxes, and contribute to the local economy in numerous ways.
  
  Wanda McCutcheon graduated from the accounting program, completed her bachelor's degree, and passed the CPA exam. She worked for several years in a large accounting firm and now has started her own company. She appreciates the "real-life, hands on experience" that she had during her time at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.



• Ivy Tech provides the type of education needed by a majority of workers.
  
  Facts: Sixty-five (65) percent of all new jobs in this country now require education beyond high school, but less than a four-year degree. Each year-in addition to providing direct noncredit training to thousands of people in local businesses-Ivy Tech awards more than 200 two-year degrees and one-year certificates in east central Indiana.
  
  Student, Ken Beck, works as a consultant for the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce solving the problems they had with their Web page and ensuring smooth operations of all their computers.



• Ivy Tech provides high-demand, nationally recognized workforce certification.
  
  "Certified technicians are important to TOM RAPER RV'S. The certified technicians are even used in the advertising done by the company. Current and prospective customers understand the importance of technicians who meet skill standards and know what they are doing. Ivy Tech's Workforce Certification Center provided the testing locally for most of the technicians saving the company and employees time and travel expenses." Mark Liebert, Quality and Training Manager.



• Ivy Tech faculty and staff fully understand the needs of business and industry, and the skills students must possess to fully contribute to their employers' success.
  
  Fact: Ninety four (94) percent of Ivy Tech's faculty and staff have direct working experience in the "for profit" sector, averaging over ten (10) years each.
  
  Gene Ayton worked 25 years in human resources with two major corporations, Mead, in Dayton, Ohio and Ford Motors, in several locations including Connersville, before coming to Ivy Tech. He brings his real world experiences into the business administration program.



• Ivy Tech delivers high-quality educational programs.
  
  Fact: Ivy Tech Richmond's RN and LPN nursing graduate state board examination pass rates have far exceeded the national averages for the past thirteen (13) years.
  
  "Ivy Tech's nursing programs have long assisted Reid Hospital in the fulfillment of our mission. Experience has proven to us that Ivy Tech's graduates are well prepared and highly skilled. Further, they come to us with a philosophic approach to patient care that blends beautifully with Reid's commitment to holistic and patient focused care. They provide quality care with both their heads and their hearts." Barry MacDowell, President CEO Reid Hospital and Health Care Services.



• Ivy Tech supplies the degrees that provide the highest return on investment.
  
  Fact: The average expected lifetime earnings for a graduate with an associate's degree is $1.5 million, about $300,000 more than an individual with only a high school diploma.
  
  William Rauthe, a graduate of the automotive program, is the manager of the Visteon fleet of 33 leased cars. He is responsible for diagnosis, repair and maintaining road worthiness of the fleet. Bill enjoyed the mixture of hands on labs and lectures from instructors that he thought were well informed and up-to-date in the automotive field. Bill has a good job because of his Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana education.



• Ivy Tech provides a critical bridge between secondary schools and four-year institutions.
  
  Fact: Ivy Tech serves as a bridge for many students who lack the financial resources to enter a four-year college or university immediately.
  
  Billie Gabbard began her nursing education as an LPN student at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. She returned to complete her associate degree to become a registered nurse. Upon competition of her associates degree she transferred to Indiana University East and secured her bachelors of science in nursing. Billie is continuing her education by working on her masters of nursing through Phoenix University.