Local companies selected based on emphasis on education, training

INDIANAPOLIS–Ivy Tech Corporate College has selected six companies for the college’s annual Corporate College Partner Award.

The recipients are selected based on the level of commitment by the organization in workforce training/development programs, the adoption by the organization of standardized and portable workforce credentials, utilization of assessments in the hiring of new workers and determining worker skills gaps, organizational commitment to financially supporting their workforce in acquiring additional skills and education, creating and implementing internal career pathways, as well as creating an ongoing partnership with Ivy Tech Corporate College for continuous improvement and development of programs and services.

The following companies were selected for the 2012 Award: Sony DADC in Terre Haute, Cummins, Inc. in Columbus, Fort Wayne Metals in Fort Wayne, Osborn International in Richmond, Federal Mogul Corporation-Logansport Plant in Logansport, and Heartland Payment Systems in Jeffersonville.

Sony was selected due to the company’s emphasis on training and development programs to increase the skills of employees at all levels.  In turn, Sony enlisted the services of Ivy Tech to assist them in making better hiring choices.  In collaboration with Ivy Tech Corporate College, Sony has structured career pathways with specific academic plans in order for employees to become eligible for higher positions.  Sony sees their workforce as their most valuable resource and is willing to continue to improve an educational and training strategy to further develop and retain them.  

Cummins Inc. had a specific need to develop coordinators and managers at two of their Southern Indiana facilities – Cummins Midrange-Engine Plant and Seymour Engine Plant.  In addition to the many training and educational programs Ivy Tech Corporate College delivers for Cummins, they worked with Cummins to design a program customized to address identified skills gaps.  The leadership skills enhancement program has been developed, delivered, and continues to be improved with Ivy Tech and Cummins working together to achieve maximum results.  This program can be replicated for other companies and will be available to other Cummins facilities.  

Ivy Tech Corporate College and Federal Mogul have increased the depth and breadth of their partnership to include supervision and leadership, computer training, supply chain management, and industrial maintenance.  Federal Mogul has added 100 new jobs and Ivy Tech has assisted them in partnering with the workforce board and adopting MSSC’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) as a preferred credential.  Their ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship continues as Corporate College and Federal Mogul are working to bring internationally recognized certifications to the region through organizations such as Automotive Industry Action Groups (AIAG).

Corporate College delivers training programs for Fort Wayne Metals which include technical certificates, leadership programs, and quality certifications.  The company’s commitment to training and education is demonstrated by their allocation of $1,000,000 to train 200+ production employees in the Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program and other types of training and certification outcomes.  They see the value of developing their workforce and adopting portable workforce credentials to demonstrate competency.

Osborn International continues to meet with Ivy Tech Corporate College to develop their workforce and create career pathways for their employees.  Most recently they adopted the NIMS certification for their CNC operators.  Ivy Tech Corporate College worked with them to assess 37 operator candidates using a battery of tests selected by Ivy Tech’s certification and assessment services to choose seven of the 37 for operator training and certification.  The testing and assessment gave the company a reliable method for selecting the best candidates.  

Heartland Payment Systems focused on professional development programs for their employees to encourage the attainment of associate degrees in business administration as the ultimate goal.  In addition to these modules, Corporate College also delivers the Heartland University Seminar program with weekly classes in Microsoft Office products, Building Positive Relations, Improving Writing Skills, and Teamwork in the Workplace.  Corporate College and Heartland added a series of leadership classes to this menu in the fall of 2012 and has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee training and development.  They partner with Ivy Tech to cultivate a true culture of excellence.  

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 30 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.