Duke Energy funds east central Indiana Ivy Tech scholarships

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PLAINFIELD AND SHELBYVILLE, IND. - Duke Energy is funding more than $62,000 in Ivy Tech Corporate College scholarships to jump start a regional training program to prepare workers for the skills local manufacturers identify as critical for their workforce.

Called "Manufacturing Skills Connection," the eight-week, advanced manufacturing program is a partnership of Ivy Tech, Duke Energy, the city of Shelbyville and local industries and economic development groups.

"Manufacturing still employs more people than any other industry in Indiana, but the modern manufacturing environment requires advanced training that goes beyond the high school diploma," said Duke Energy Indiana President Doug Esamann. "This program provides scholarship-funded education tailored to fit the needs of east central Indiana."

The Duke Energy grant, along with support from the city of Shelbyville, will fund 24 $2,600 scholarships. Recipients must be at least 18 years old and residents of Duke Energy-served Indiana counties.

Preference will be given to applicants from the region as well as Duke Energy Indiana customers. Recipients also must undergo basic skills testing, a drug screening and an interview. Applications are being accepted now for classes which begin in March.

"Addressing the middle skills gap is not only a concern for the Shelbyville area but also the state," said Stephanie Taylor, executive director of Ivy Tech Corporate College. "Manufacturing Skills Connection directly meets the needs of our employers as well as our workforce. Ivy Tech is excited to partner with Duke Energy to launch this program."

The initiative turns unskilled workers into certified production technicians -- workers with the basic skills and certification that many manufacturers require.

Employers that sign on as partners in the program pledge to support a sustainability fund. Once program graduates are placed in jobs, employer payments into the fund provide ongoing funding for future students.

Graduate success is also critical to ongoing program evaluation. Ivy Tech will monitor each student at 30-, 60-, 90-, 180- and 365-day intervals to ensure proper job placement and retention following training.

For information on how to apply, contact:

Tony Collier
County Coordinator / Business Recruitment Coordinator
WorkOne Shelbyville
130 W. Rampart Road
Shelbyville, IN 46176
317-392-3251 x 205
tcollier@workonecentral.org

Duke Energy Indiana's operations provide approximately 6,900 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 790,000 customers, making it the state's largest electric supplier.

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 31 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.