Classes begin October 1or January 7
INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College is offering three new options this fall to students wanting to study in the Ivy Institute of Technology.  Beginning either October 1 or January 7, the Ivy Institute of Technology will offer new programs in Automotive, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing, and Office Administration.  These three new programs will be offered in addition to the Welding, HVAC and Machine Tool Technology Institutes that were introduced last fall.
The Ivy Institute programs are technology-focused and rely on integrated lab activities to teach class material and prepare students for jobs in their area of study. The programs focus on the skills and technology for each field while building math, reading and writing exercises into the course material.  Each institute is a 40-week program that meets for six to seven hours per day, five days per week.  At the end of the course, students will take exams for industry certifications.  Students can also use their credits to continue their education in pursuit of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at Ivy Tech, with approximately 30 percent more coursework to complete.  
Students in the new Automotive Institute will learn about electrical systems, engine performance, transmissions, brakes, steering and suspension systems, air conditioning systems, and engine repair. The Mechatronics Institute teaches students how to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain high-tech manufacturing equipment.  Students in the Office Administration Institute will learn word processing, spreadsheets and databases, and desktop publishing software.  Students enrolled in the Ivy Institutes will earn nationally-recognized certifications in addition to a technical certificate.  The Ivy Institutes prepare students for entry or mid-level jobs in just 40 weeks of laboratory/classroom instruction.
“The Institute model has seen a great response from students, and the new institutes were developed to continue to prepare our students for the jobs that are in highest demand in Indiana.  We work closely with industry professionals in designing Ivy Institute programs that are focused and will best prepare students for careers in each of the fields,” said Ivy Tech Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mary Ostrye.  “The new Ivy Institutes give our students additional options for learning skills and earning certifications that will make them most competitive in today’s job market,”
The new Automotive Institute will be offered in Terre Haute, Kokomo, Lafayette and Richmond.  The new Mechatronics Institute will be offered in South Bend, Columbus, Valparaiso and Sellersburg.  The new Office Administration Institute will be offered in Greencastle.   Enrollment is open for the new cohorts, and space is limited; students are encouraged to find out more information about enrolling by visiting the website at http://ivytech.edu/ivy-institute.
Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.