Ivy Tech Madison Announces State-Certified Work & Learn Pathways

Ceremony launches new Career Coaching and Employer Connections Department on campus.

(Madison, Ind.) - Ivy Tech Community College Madison campus hosted Carrie Lively, the Senior Director of the Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship on Friday, August 21st for an outdoor ceremony to announce the creation of two state-certified K14 Work & Learn Pathways in Welding and Industrial Maintenance.

These pathways have been officially designated as “State Earn and Learn” (SEAL) programs certified by the State of Indiana. SEALs are best practice models that are structured to include an education component and an on-the-job training component. SEALs focus on employer needs and provide students with the opportunity to complete their education while working in their chosen career field. SEALs can be developed as youth or adult programs with K-12 or post-secondary institutions as partners.

Students enrolled in the College’s the Welding SEAL will earn 4 industry certifications, 34 dual credits, and over 1,300 hours of on the job training and related instruction. Students enrolled in the Industrial Maintenance SEAL will earn both high school and college credit, 4 industry-recognized certifications, a Certificate in Industrial Mechanical Technician, and a Certificate in Industrial Mechanical. Students in this program will receive over 700 hours of on the job training and related instruction.

Ivy Tech Community College’s Madison campus is the first campus in the statewide system to have an official SEAL program, said Chancellor Molly Dodge. “This is a testament to our county’s vision, outlined in the Envision Jefferson County Plan, to create a seamless, guided pathway for students that aligns their educational coursework and work-based learning experience to their ultimate career goal.”

During the ceremony, Lively emphasized the benefit of the SEAL program to area employers by stating, “Participating employers who hire and retain a SEAL student part-time for six months are eligible for a $1,000 payment from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and currently the number of SEAL students an employer can have is not capped.” She then added, “If a participating employer retains the student post-graduation for an additional six months, the employer can be reimbursed by the State for an additional $5,000 up to $50,000.”

The implementation of the SEAL program will be the responsibility of the campus’ new “Career Coaching and Employer Connections” (CCEC) department, funded on the Madison campus through a grant from the Lilly Endowment and Perkins funding. The CCEC on the Madison campus will be a cohesive model for student and employer engagement emphasizing comprehensive career readiness practices in conjunction with a student’s academic preparation throughout their college experience.

“Ivy Tech Madison’s expanded department is well positioned to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter and thrive in the workplace,” said Paula Clark, CCEC Director. She added, “Area employers should view the CCEC department as a go-to, one-stop partner for talent recruitment and pipeline development.”

“I am very proud of the work of our new career development department,” said Molly Dodge, Chancellor. “Since the soft opening last fall, the staff has placed 15 students in qualified internships and provided career coaching to 150 students. In addition, Courtney Gullion, the Employer Consultant within the department, has recruited and enrolled 40 employer-sponsored students for the campus’ August start under the College’s “Achieve Your Degree” tuition deferment program.”

The new career development department will provide students the opportunity to create a Career Development Portfolio; receive professional one-on-one Career Coaching, and experience a work-and-learn opportunity to gain direct experience in their chosen career path. Beginning in August, the CCEC department on the Madison Campus will offer a focused pilot to the K14 pathway students and Associate Degree-seeking students in the Business program. A variety of virtual and in-person CCEC services will also be made available to the general student body.

Ivy Tech Community College plans to roll out the new career development model through a phased approach over four years. The first phase commenced last fall with six campuses launching in August 2020: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend/Elkhart, Kokomo, Sellersburg, and Madison.

For more information about how the CCEC department might serve you as a student or an employer, please contact Paula Clark, Director, at pclark50@ivytech.edu or 812-599-3220.