Workforce Developments :: March 2008
In This Issue..
- Tech Prep grants
- Robotics grants
- Career and Technical awards
- Chamber of Commerce study
- Central Indiana Job Fair
About this Newsletter
Welcome to the latest issue of Workforce Developments, a monthly e-mail newsletter from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
This newsletter is designed to keep Indiana policy and opinion makers and other officials up to date on activities taking place in workforce development across the state. Please forward it to others you believe might find the content useful.
Tech Prep grants awarded
Seventy-three Indiana high schools, post-secondary institutions, career centers and consortia have been awarded grants totaling more than $1.8 million.
The grants will help schools better align their curricula with more rigorous academic standards and will improve student preparation for high wage, high demand jobs projected for the state in the decades ahead.
“Tech Prep is an important school-to-work transition strategy, one that helps all students make the connection between school and employment,” said Teresa Voors, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “Tech Prep connects learning to career pathways and provides students with the knowledge, skills and behaviors to compete successfully in the workplace of tomorrow.”
For a list of the educational institutions receiving the grants and their award totals, go here.
Robotics grants announced
Twenty-seven Indiana high schools or postsecondary institutions are receiving grants totaling $114,000 that will be used to fund teams competing in the FIRST Robotics program, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced today.
An international program, FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. The program's goal is to help young people recognize the opportunity, power, and joy of solving problems through science, technology, and engineering.
"Engineering and scientific innovation are very important to the economic future of our state," said Teresa Voors, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "This program helps provide an education and career path for young people who might not otherwise have discovered an interest in science and technology, she said."
Most of the Indiana teams will compete in the 4th annual Boilermaker Regional, held at Purdue University in March. At the competition, high-school students, teachers, and engineers will design and build robots to race around a track, manipulating 40" inflated "Trackballs" to score additional points. For a list of the grant awards, go here.
Career and Technical Education award winners honored
Several outstanding career and technical education students, programs, and personnel were honored last month at the 24th Indiana Career and Technical Education Awards for Excellence ceremony held in Indianapolis.
The program identifies and recognizes students, programs, guidance/personnel services and active partnerships that contribute to high quality career and technical education in Indiana. The program is sponsored by the Indiana Commission for Career and Technical Education in cooperation with the Indiana Career and Technical Education Association.
A resolution honoring the students was passed in the Indiana State Senate and House. At the ceremony, Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, provided remarks, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and Commissioner of Higher Education Stan Jones spoke at a luncheon honoring the awardees. For the award winners,
State needs better adult education, worker training efforts
Indiana must do a better job preparing its workforce or its ability to attract and maintain knowledge-based, high-paying jobs could be at risk, according to a report released last month by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
The report noted that 23.6 percent – more than 900,000 --- of all working-age adults in Indiana have at least one basic challenge the state must address through education and training. The report outlines the major challenges the state faces as policymakers work to strengthen the workforce, the state’s current performance in meeting those challenges and the benefits to be realized to individuals and the state as a whole.
To access the report, go here.
Central Indiana Job Fair set for Anderson on March 13
The Central Indiana Job Fair has been scheduled for March 13, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Madison Park Church of God, 6607 Providence Drive, in Anderson.
The Job Fair is a joint effort of the Central Indiana Regional Workforce Board, WorkOne Anderson Chamber of Commerce for Anderson & Madison County, Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, WorkOne Fishers, Employment Guide, City of Anderson, Mayor Kris Ockomon, State Senator Tim Lanane, State Representative Scott Reske, State Representative Terri Austin, Corporation for Economic Development, Madison County Commissioners and the Eastern Indiana Regional Workforce Board.
For additional information, contact Cathy on the toll free Job Fair Committee hotline at 1-888-230-3137 or Tracy Hartman 765-282-6400 x106.
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