Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
EVANSVILLE – Planning for current and future workforce needs is the focus of a skills training survey in Pike County.
Residents of Pike County and surrounding communities are invited to complete the survey that will identify workforce and individualized training needs in the region.
The survey is being conducted by Ivy Tech Community College Evansville in partnership with the Pike County Economic Development Corporation and the Elmer Buchta Technology Center.
Survey results will guide future training and course offerings that support skill development, career advancement and increased earning potential.
Ashley Willis, executive director of Pike County EDC, said residents currently have access to courses in Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Adult Basic Education, CPR and entrepreneurship courses.
“We are looking to expand offerings needed by existing employers in the region and to remain competitive and current with technology trends,” she said.
Counties across Indiana Ivy Tech+ Career Link Executive Director Nick Bragin said Indiana’s workforce is at a critical juncture and surveys like the one Pike County is conducting will help the county meet its workforce needs.
Over the next decade, Bragin said Indiana will need 82,000 adults every year to earn or receive skilled training or a credential in four sectors:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Transportation and logistics
- Health care
- Information technology
“That’s 800,000 to 1 million jobs to keep up with the demand for the state,” Bragin said.
In Pike County, where there is a high concentration of jobs in electric power generation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is forecasting a 3.2% increase in regional employment for advanced manufacturing jobs in the coming years.
Bragin and Willis have met with employers to determine where there are skill gaps. As employers lose veteran employees to retirement, Bragin said there is a need to upskill or reskill younger employees.
“One of the benefits of upskilling and reskilling is it allows individuals to pursue skills so they can find new opportunities,” Bragin said.
Adults who lack a high school diploma or equivalency is another need cited by employers. In the 10-county area of Southwest Indiana, approximately 29,000 adults ages 25-64 didn’t finish high school. High School Equivalency classes are one of the possibilities that are being explored.
Ivy Tech has programs to assist counties with skill certification and can tailor programs to specific employer needs.
Take the survey
The survey is now open, and participation is encouraged by all community members. To take part, visit https://link.ivytech.edu/buchta.