Academy Targets ‘Critical’ Skills Gap Issues
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Manufacturers Association and Ivy Tech Corporate College have launched an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education and industry needs. The Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy consists of online technical training in areas including lean manufacturing, structural engineering and automation. Association Vice President Brian Burton believes businesses throughout the state can see “almost immediate” results from the program because some courses can be completed in days. August 5, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In an effort to bridge the existing workforce skills gap that many Hoosier employers now face, the Indiana Manufacturers Association and Ivy Tech Corporate College announce the creation of the Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy. The Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy provides employers online, easy-to-use, effective eAssessment and eLearning tools that revolutionize technical assessment and training.
Patrick J. Kiely, President of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, stated “Recent studies have found that more 930,000 – nearly a third of Indiana's workforce – lack the basic skills to thrive in today's economy. Also, a recent survey of 1,123 manufacturing executives released last year found that 67 percent had a moderate-to-severe shortage of available, qualified workers. The Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy will now deliver the tools that employers need to effectively assess skills gaps in their existing workers and immediately direct them to the targeted training needed.”
“We are very pleased to partner with the Indiana Manufacturers Association to bring Indiana employers these new, exciting and powerful learning tools,” said, Thomas J. Snyder, President of Ivy Tech Community College. Mr. Snyder added, “Manufacturing is the leading industry in Indiana and Ivy Tech is leading the way in developing innovative programs to increase the effectiveness of training a highly skilled workforce that is needed in today's manufacturing workplaces. The Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy online assessments and training is focused so employees spend time learning only what they need. It establishes and recognizes highly-skilled employees. It also allows employers to track results for individual employees, as well as across organization levels and groups.”
eAssessments and eLearning focus on the critical areas for manufacturers. They include automation, electrical, fluid power, green energy, industry fundamentals, lean manufacturing, machining, manufacturing processes, materials, measurement and gauging, mechanical, prints and drawings, process control, quality, safety, structural engineering, surveying, thermal and workplace effectiveness.
eAssesments and eLearning are powered by the proven assessment and training programs of Jeffersonville, Indiana-based company Amatrol. The program meets the challenge for flexible, technical training by offering superb technical content depth as well as breadth, strong interactivity for skill development, and excellent assessment and student tracking through an intuitive, easy-to-use web portal. With 24/7 access, the Indiana Manufacturers Skills Academy program creates easy access to educational opportunities for technical skill development previously restricted to the classroom.
The material is self-paced, making it ideal for individual use, traditional class settings, or a blended approach. The proven curriculum is problem-solving oriented and teaches technical skills in a wide range of industrially relevant technologies.
For more information and to schedule a free demonstration, please contact Sherm Johnson, Ivy Tech Corporate College, at 317¬-917¬-5713 or sjohnson311@ivytech.edu.
Formed in 1901, the Indiana Manufacturers Association is the second oldest manufacturers association in the country and the only trade association in Indiana that exclusively focuses on manufacturing. The Indiana Manufacturers Association, representing more than 1,400 companies, is dedicated to advocating for a business climate that creates, protects and promotes quality manufacturing jobs in Indiana. The staff of the Indiana Manufacturers Association has more than 140 years of combined governmental affairs experience and is recognized as experts in many areas including tax, environment, labor relations, human resources and healthcare.
Ivy Tech Corporate College is the premier provider of quality workforce training solutions for the needs of businesses, industry, organizations and individuals. Corporate College will contribute to business success through talent development, organizational improvement, and increased productivity and profitability. With 31 campuses and more than 100 learning facilities statewide, Ivy Tech is readily accessible and has a proven track record of providing value-based solutions for thousands of businesses and students each year.
Source: Indiana Manufacturers Association