Ivy Tech, PCBIDC, Community Foundation Announce Trained and Ready Campaign

Ivy Tech, PCBIDC, Community Foundation Announce Trained and Ready Campaign

            A way to provide reliability and consistency in creating a pipeline of individuals who are ready, willing, and able to work in business and industry in the Perry County area, was announced today at Ivy Tech Community College Tell City. The Trained & Ready Capital Campaign is focusing on local employers who would benefit from having an educated workforce in these high-demand fields.

Also announced was the site’s name change to Ivy Tech Tell City Career and Technology Center, to better reflect Ivy Tech’s commitment to developing the workforce of the region, said Ivy Tech Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Kelly Cozart.

“A skilled workforce creates a firm foundation for business and industry, and the Trained & Ready Campaign is designed to assist with this specific educational process in Perry County and surrounding communities,” Cozart said. “By providing opportunities for individuals to gain skills in career fields represented in the region, the economy is strengthened, individuals will have secure, good-paying careers, and there will be less attrition in the workforce.”

The Perry County Business and Industrial Development Corporation, along with the Perry County Community Foundation, have identified workforce development needs and partnered with Ivy Tech Tell City, to raise funds for equipment and scholarships for the in-demand training needed for regional businesses.

“Companies across our region, the State of Indiana, and our entire country are in need of educated and skilled employees to ensure a qualified labor pool that can meet ever-evolving demands,” said Lee Chestnut, President of the Perry County Business & Industrial Development Corporation.  The Trained & Ready Campaign is a partnership with our regional employers to continually identify and review the technical skills needed within that profession.  “This is about truly sharing our resources for the growth of our region as this equipment and space can be shared by our existing companies to train employees as well as area K-12 vocational programs.”

Chestnut said that to date, nearly $305,000 of the $500,000 goal has been pledged, as those funds will be used  in a variety of ways such as purchasing training equipment identified by our regional employers, scholarships for individuals to earn certifications, and to pay for finishing out an existing room to hold Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) classes. “In essence, our overall goal is to fundamentally better utilize our resources in order to grow our region both in labor force as well as in educational attainment.”

Major donors to the campaign include: Waupaca, ATTC and Masterbrand Cabinets.

“Many positions are becoming difficult to fill as we continue to add machines, automate equipment, and require skilled team members to work in our facility,” said Cody Dawson, Assistant Plant Manager at Waupaca Foundry, Perry County’s largest employer. Dawson went on to say, “At this point, workforce training is not optional; it is essential for the future success of our company as well as our entire community.”

The Perry County Community Foundation is offering a 50% match to any cash donations made to it by August 31, and designated for the Trained and Ready Campaign, Chestnut said.

Anyone who would like to learn more about the program or to make a pledge should contact Lee Chestnut at (812) 547-8377 or by email – lee@pickperry.com.