Elkhart Center, on-site workforce development program on schedule
Language, financial management two topics of coursework to help orient Hispanic workers in region
Published October 27, 2006
IU South Bend has received a $100,000 grant from KeyBank to fund two projects in Elkhart. Half of the grant will be used for a program to help assimilate the Hispanic workforce into the Elkhart community and half will go to the campaign for construction of the IU South Bend Elkhart Center in downtown Elkhart.
The Hispanic workforce assimilation program will be directed by the Division of Extended Learning Services and will consist of course work, instruction and the use of compact discs. LaCasa of Goshen will help with the program.
The Key Foundation grant supports the program’s objectives to strengthen workforce diversity and inclusion through occupationally-based training programs. The Division of Extended Learning Services will develop 24 hours of English/Spanish and Spanish/English language training courses, and each participant will receive a compact disc reinforcing the skills learned in the courses.
The program also includes 10 hours of financial management classes provided by LaCasa and a mentorship program. Preparation of the modules, training of instructers and production of the CDs are currently underway. The program is scheduled to begin in January and will focus on the manufacturing sector in Elkhart. The modules will be specifically developed to be delivered on site at the workplace. The goal is to serve 150 individuals during the first year of the program. Participants will attend class for 90 minutes each week for 16 weeks. For information about the program, contact Jackie Neuman, director of extended learning services, at 765-520-4167; e-mail jab5@iusb.edu .
A private fund-raising campaign by Elkhart civic leaders has raised $4 million for construction of the IU South Bend Elkhart Center. Construction is underway, and the facility is expected to be completed in time for classes in fall 2007.
