Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Skills Summit offered for displaced workers
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Contact for more information:
Brandi Schwartz Marketing Coordinator Outreach & Engagement 812/464-1854 The summit will provide information about in-demand skills that are needed in the job market today. Several area employers will be on site to meet with participants and provide information on the skills they require when hiring new employees. To help displaced workers acquire these skills, representatives from Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, and Henderson Community College will provide information on more than 100 technical certificates and associate degrees. University of Evansville and USI will showcase information on a variety of associate and bachelor degree programs as well as specialized offerings, including a certificate program in entrepreneurship. Three displaced workers who have successfully transitioned into new careers will share personal stories on how they became a licensed practical nurse, an HVAC operator, and a computer network technician. Participants of the Skills Summit will have an opportunity to attend a financial planning course through the University of Evansville, a social security planning course through USI, and a presentation on community resources from the United Way of Southwestern Indiana. Counselors from the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation and career services personnel from the various colleges will also be available. The region's educational institutions have stepped up in a collaborative effort with WorkOne, the United Way of Southwestern Indiana, Local 808, and Whirlpool to address the support services, education, and training needs of displaced workers and their families. Dr. Ed Jones, vice provost for Outreach and dean of Extended Services at USI, has helped coordinate the joint effort. "Most of our efforts have been low key, but the Skills Summit will kick off more visible support programs as workers become available to participate in retraining and skill development programs," said Jones. "Almost everyone knows at least one Whirlpool worker or family member that will be affected by the plant closing. The commitment of staff and volunteers from the education providers to help their neighbors has been impressive." The Skills Summit is free and open to individuals who are or will soon be displaced. For more information, contact Sandie Nelson at Ivy Tech Community College, 812/429-0578. |
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