EVANSVILLE, Ind. – SABIC, a global diversified chemicals company, today (3-23-23) signed four students enrolled in Process Operations Technology classes at Ivy Tech Community College, to be paid interns at its Mt. Vernon plant.
They are:
- Nathan Collins Harrisburg, IL
- Blayne Mayhew Petersburg, IN
- Karl Baro Mt. Vernon, IN
- Conner McKinney Mt. Vernon, IN
“The students were recognized today as the first chemical operator interns at SABIC,†said Niall McConville, Director of the SABIC Mt. Vernon facility. Several years ago, SABIC officials came to Ivy Tech to discuss a possible partnership to create a local curriculum for candidates interested in chemical operator positions at their company. Ivy Tech began offering the technical certificate in Process Operations in 2017.
“At the time of our initial discussions, we had seen the writing on the wall and knew that many of our chemical operators would retire over the next 10 years and we needed to work quickly to educate and train individuals to fill these specialized roles as well as create a long-term pipeline,†said McConville. “We modeled what we wanted at Ivy Tech after a similar program in another state, and put resources in place to make it happen.â€
In the last year, SABIC has introduced possible full-ride scholarships, paid internships, and a guaranteed interview for a job at their Mt. Vernon plant, to students in the program at Ivy Tech.
Ivy Tech Evansville Chancellor Daniela Vidal believes this partnership is a good model for the workforce. “We are so pleased to be able to co-create this talent pipeline offering a technical certificate in Process Operations Technology.†Vidal said. The Technical Certificate is a 34-credit hour program, over a two- to three-semester time frame. “To date, 13 students have graduated with a technical certificate and we expect many more in the future. Ivy Tech partners with many industries to provide the relevant, timely training needed for our communities’ workforce needs.â€
