June 14, 2018
Purdue Polytechnic Institute teams with Indiana University to improve workforce readiness
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Polytechnic Institute is working to improve students’ workforce readiness throughout Indiana and beyond by teaming with the Center for P-16 Research and Collaboration at Indiana University.
The dual-university partnership will address strategies to fill vacancies in Indiana by better preparing students for the workforce.
“There’s a sense of urgency to the matter of an under-prepared generation of employees as the United States experiences an aging and retiring workforce,” said Geanie Umberger, Purdue Polytechnic associate dean for engagement. “The country needs its high schools and colleges to produce successful students who are ready to become capable workers in all fields, but especially in STEM-related areas.”
As part of the partnership, Purdue Polytechnic created CareerMakers, an industry-led workforce education and training initiative.
CareerMakers is the workforce and professional education concierge for employers. It focuses on the employer, offering customizable workforce education.
A CareerMakers office will be affiliated with all nine of Purdue Polytechnic’s statewide locations, as well as select locations, such as WestGate Authority near the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division near Odon, Indiana.
“Our first few months with Purdue Polytechnic have been very exciting and fruitful,” said John Mensch, president of the WestGate Authority. “We look forward to growing this important relationship.”
CareerMakers offers programming from workshops as well as credit- and non-credit-bearing certificates from the degree programs offered by Purdue.
The collaboration between the universities is critical in order to address the issue on a state-wide level.
Two million Indiana residents need additional training to compete in the 21st century workforce and fill the estimated 1 million job openings in Indiana by 2025 due to retirements and the creation of new jobs.
Indiana University’s Center for P-16 Research and Collaboration is intended to improve college access, retention and success – especially for underrepresented students – by strengthening pre-college preparation and supporting the transition to college.
The P-16 Center, based at IU’s School of Education, was created because many students, including those who succeeded in high school, sometimes falter in college.
“The P-16 Center focuses on creating opportunities for learners to achieve their academic and professional goals through initiatives that enhance teacher quality, and support college and career readiness, transformational education leadership, and global education,” said Dionne Cross Francis, P-16 director.
In conjunction with its mission to improve college access and retention, the P-16 Center strives to improve students’ STEM skills to better prepare students for entering the workforce.
Contact: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu
Writer: Brigid O’Brien, 765-494-9201, obrienb@purdue.edu
Sources: Geanie Umberger, 765-496-3723, gumberger@purdue.edu
John Mensch, johnmensch@1stsecurityinsurance.com
Dionne Cross Francis, 812-856-8221, dicross@indiana.edu
