IPFW Using Industry Feedback to Shape Programs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn effort is underway in northeast Indiana to better align the needs of employers with student training. The IPFW Division of Continuing Studies has launched a survey of regional businesses and will use the results to help shape future coursework, certificates and degrees. The division's primary efforts involve custom training and hiring programs for businesses in northeast Indiana. October 30, 2014
News Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Division of Continuing Studies at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is seeking input from the regional business and industrial communities regarding the types of courses and training that their employees need. To gather feedback, the Division emailed an online outreach survey to targeted individuals within the region.
“The outreach survey is being distributed to help IPFW better serve the educational needs of the region,” according to Continuing Studies Executive Director Karen VanGorder. “The survey is part of the university's ongoing efforts to ensure that the coursework and training being offered are relevant in today's fast-paced, high-tech environment,” she said, Continuing Studies continually refines and adds to its programming to serve the changing needs of the region.
The Continuing Studies survey will be distributed via e-mail during the last week of October. Those who receive the survey are encouraged to participate so that IPFW can evaluate the relevancy of existing programs and determine what other programs need to be offered.
The community as a whole is encouraged to participate as well by visiting www.ipfw.edu/training-needs.
About the Training Outreach Department, Division of Continuing Studies
The Training Outreach department serves the needs of the business and industrial community in Northeast Indiana. Continuing Studies programs not only help prepare individuals for future careers, but also help them enhance skills in preparation for growth opportunities in the workplace through noncredit and certificate programs. It also hosts the annual Applied Leadership Series, an intensive 3-day workshop designed to raise the bar on personal best, which will be held March 18-20, 2015.
For businesses seeking to further cultivate their biggest asset, their employees, the Division's goal is to provide customized training and learning programs. During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Continuing Studies collaborated with 24 career-related organizations to develop and refine their certificate programs and noncredit courses. This effort resulted in more than 5,000 enrollees from 594 area companies. As an example, Continuing Studies was hired by Parkview Health Systems to assist in the implementation of its new medical records system, which involved recruiting, hiring and training 38 individuals to serve on the training team and deliver 682 classes to Parkview employees.
The Division also hosts the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (NE-ISBDC), a state-wide agency which regionally provides resources and counseling to start and grow businesses in the ten counties of Northeast Indiana. Last year, the agency offered a record-high of 2,366 counseling hours and over $9M in start-up funding to small businesses in the area.
Online Learning at IPFW is growing in popularity as students enjoy the ability to study from home or from anywhere in the world from the convenience of their own computer and Internet connection. Continuing Studies has expanded the number of degree programs that are available totally online. These programs include General Studies, Information Systems, RN to BS, and MS degrees in Nursing that are administered by the Division of Continuing Studies in collaboration with the respective academic units. US News and World Report recently ranked IPFW 9th nationally on its listing of 2014 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 3rd nationally in Best Veteran Bachelor's Programs, largely due to faculty credentials, technology, and students services.
For more information on IPFW and the Division of Continuing Studies, visit their website at www.ipfw.edu/dcs. To receive a copy of the survey findings, or to become involved in a focus group to help evaluate and develop Continuing Studies programming, contact Melinda Conley at 260-481-6261 or e-mail conleym@ipfw.edu.
About IPFW
Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), is the largest university in northeast Indiana, offering more than 200 prestigious Indiana University and Purdue University degrees and certificates. More than 13,000 students of diverse ages, races, and nationalities belong to the IPFW family. The 688-acre campus in Fort Wayne is home to over 9,900 degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. Through IPFW's partnerships with area high schools, almost 3,300 high school students take dual credit courses, simultaneously earning both high school and college credits. IPFW is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Learn more about us at ipfw.edu.
Source: IPFW