Ivy Tech Community College Adds More Free Opportunities To Learn

Daniela Vidal, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College’s Evansville campus, announced today (July 16) that there are now even more free classes that residents can take in order to gain new skills; earn a certificate or technical certificate, or as an entryway into an associate degree.

“These courses can lead to the training needed for in-demand career opportunities in our Evansville region,” Vidal said. “It is imperative – now, more than ever – that our community’s residents get the training they need to qualify them for the safe, secure, and valuable jobs that are so important to jump-starting our economy.”

Vidal said that Ivy Tech is at the critical juncture of being the location where both employers and individuals can come to get the skills to meet workforce demands. “We are here to provide the skilled offerings that will give residents the tools they need to succeed, and help area business and industry flourish,” she said.

FREE – 10,000 Classes

One opportunity, originally announced in May, are free classes for up to 10,000 people to take. Many are still available and individuals can register here: www.ivytech.edu/10kclasses/

FREE – Next Level Jobs

Ivy Tech is also offering a wide variety of free certificates and technical certificate credentials through the state’s Next Level Jobs initiative. Federal funding through the CARES Act has enabled the temporary expansion of programs that will be financially covered and all of the previous educational restrictions have been waived.  Students can now earn a free credential and are not required to have a high school diploma or high school equivalency. They may have also earned a college degree previously.  This Rapid Recovery Expansion opportunity expires on December 30, 2020.

Classes will be offered on the main campus in Evansville and also at the Princeton and Tell City Career & Technology Centers. Among those opportunities include CDL classes in Evansville and Dubois County, Certified Nursing Assistant training in Tell City and Princeton; and welding in Newburgh.

Other areas of study that Next Level Jobs will fund include: Advanced Manufacturing, Building and Construction, Health and Life Sciences, Information Technology and Business Services, and Transportation and Logistics. To register to go to www.ivytech.edu/nextleveljobs

FREE – Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency

Ivy Tech Evansville also recently received a grant from the Department of Workforce Development to offer High School Equivalency preparation classes, the High School Equivalency exam (TASC) and Adult Basic Education for those who want basic skill development. These classes will be offered at the main Evansville campus beginning Aug. 1. There is also a class to be offered at the Princeton Career & Technology Center. Funding for these classes for this school year ends Dec. 30, 2020. More information will soon be available at www.ivytech.edu/abe

Saeed Walcott, robotics and PLC technician for MidWest Motion Incorporated, is a 2019 Ivy Tech associate of applied science graduate in Advanced Automation and Robotics. He said that Ivy Tech not only educated him but helped him through any struggles he had and prepared him with the skills needed for his position. He had praise for instructors in his program and for the hands-on education he received.

Walcott urged individuals to take advantage of these free opportunities to better prepare themselves. “You miss 100% of the shots you never take,” Walcott said. “Take this one.”

Vidal added, “With thousands of our communities’ residents having lost their job, were furloughed, or are underemployed, these classes and training are important for our economy. This is a great way for our residents to skill up to become even more valuable to their current and future employers.”