Ivy Tech Dedicates New Ortho Training Center
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Ivy Tech Dedicates New Ortho Training Center
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Helping workers improve their education has been Ivy Tech Community College.
Wednesday morning, Ivy Tech held a formal dedication for its expanded Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at 955 Executive Drive, Warsaw.[[In-content Ad]]"It's my delight to welcome you to this particular event, this particular day," said Randy Maxson, Ivy Tech vice chancellor and dean, Warsaw campus, in his opening remarks.
After recognizing a handful of important people who helped make the OAMTC a reality, Maxson introduced Dr. Virginia Calvin, chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College-North Central.
Calvin said she was thrilled to be a part of the dedication. When Ivy Tech opened the first training facility, its purpose was to help meet the needs of local orthopedic companies. Not too long after that, work on the OAMTC started to help meet the needs of the north central region.
She said she was grateful for the "extreme generosity" of the Department of Workforce Development in giving more than $750,000 in equipment. She also gave thanks for the generosity of the city of Warsaw, Kosciusko County and the region.
More than 400 students are enrolled in classes at the OAMTC, said Thomas Snyder, president, Ivy Tech. When the new Ivy Tech building is opened across the street, he said, it will be at capacity. The Warsaw campus of Ivy Tech has 1,472 students enrolled this semester.
All of this would not be possible without the partnership of Ivy Tech and the Department of Workforce Development, Snyder said.
Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa Voors acknowledged the Ivy Tech students who attended the dedication.
"You're the reason we're here today. You're the reason this facility exists," Voors said. She thanked the students for taking the next step and investing in themselves by advancing their education.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said there were many people to thank in making the training center and Ivy Tech in Warsaw happen. He specifically thanked Jo Lemon, Jean Northenor and Indiana Speaker of the House Patrick Bauer. With the trying times the country is going through, the OAMTC is an example of the kind of opportunities needed, Wiggins said.
Bauer said the training center will help meet the need of creating and expanding jobs in Indiana.
"This facility and the building across the street is brick and mortar, but they exist for one reason: to educate and train students," said Dave Findlay, Lake City Bank chief financial officer and North Central Region member of the Ivy Tech state board of trustees.
"This is a tremendous event for Warsaw," he said. Kosciusko County is the epicenter of workforce development in Indiana, he said.
Zimmer Director of Community Affairs Brad Bishop said the orthopedic business hasn't been immune to the economy's problems, but it has come through better than other companies and the future looks good. That the OAMTC came to be is a reflection of how important Warsaw is to the industry, he said.
Student Daniel Hill, Plymouth, explained how he lost his job at Gulf Stream Coach. However, before he was laid off, he knew something had to change. In July 2008, he decided to go to college. His last day of employment at Gulf Stream was Sept. 11, 2008, he said. Now, he's a full time student at Ivy Tech.
He's had the support of his wife and family, but Hill said his instructors at Ivy Tech also have been very helpful. He thanked his instructors and Ivy Tech.
Ted Harrell, Warsaw, started taking classes at Ivy Tech in the spring.
"I wanted to advance my training in CNC machining. They (Ivy Tech) offered the best training I could get in Warsaw, and I wouldn't have to travel far," said Harrell.
He was laid off earlier this year. That prompted Harrell to get more training in advanced manufacturing so his chances of being laid off again would decrease.
Harrell said he was impressed with the OAMTC. "This is an excellent facility," he said. "They've done a great job of setting it up. They have some great instructors here."
Alicia Miller has been an employee at Medtronic for almost five years. She's attending Ivy Tech to continue her education in advanced manufacturing and quality, she said. She wants to improve her abilities and move into the next level of quality.
By advancing her education, Miller said she will not only improve her skills, but also will be able to help Medtronic with any skills she learns.
"I think it's a very nice facility," said Miller of the OAMTC. "There's so much to offer. It's really awesome. It looks like a real company's layout."
Helping workers improve their education has been Ivy Tech Community College.
Wednesday morning, Ivy Tech held a formal dedication for its expanded Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at 955 Executive Drive, Warsaw.[[In-content Ad]]"It's my delight to welcome you to this particular event, this particular day," said Randy Maxson, Ivy Tech vice chancellor and dean, Warsaw campus, in his opening remarks.
After recognizing a handful of important people who helped make the OAMTC a reality, Maxson introduced Dr. Virginia Calvin, chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College-North Central.
Calvin said she was thrilled to be a part of the dedication. When Ivy Tech opened the first training facility, its purpose was to help meet the needs of local orthopedic companies. Not too long after that, work on the OAMTC started to help meet the needs of the north central region.
She said she was grateful for the "extreme generosity" of the Department of Workforce Development in giving more than $750,000 in equipment. She also gave thanks for the generosity of the city of Warsaw, Kosciusko County and the region.
More than 400 students are enrolled in classes at the OAMTC, said Thomas Snyder, president, Ivy Tech. When the new Ivy Tech building is opened across the street, he said, it will be at capacity. The Warsaw campus of Ivy Tech has 1,472 students enrolled this semester.
All of this would not be possible without the partnership of Ivy Tech and the Department of Workforce Development, Snyder said.
Workforce Development Commissioner Teresa Voors acknowledged the Ivy Tech students who attended the dedication.
"You're the reason we're here today. You're the reason this facility exists," Voors said. She thanked the students for taking the next step and investing in themselves by advancing their education.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said there were many people to thank in making the training center and Ivy Tech in Warsaw happen. He specifically thanked Jo Lemon, Jean Northenor and Indiana Speaker of the House Patrick Bauer. With the trying times the country is going through, the OAMTC is an example of the kind of opportunities needed, Wiggins said.
Bauer said the training center will help meet the need of creating and expanding jobs in Indiana.
"This facility and the building across the street is brick and mortar, but they exist for one reason: to educate and train students," said Dave Findlay, Lake City Bank chief financial officer and North Central Region member of the Ivy Tech state board of trustees.
"This is a tremendous event for Warsaw," he said. Kosciusko County is the epicenter of workforce development in Indiana, he said.
Zimmer Director of Community Affairs Brad Bishop said the orthopedic business hasn't been immune to the economy's problems, but it has come through better than other companies and the future looks good. That the OAMTC came to be is a reflection of how important Warsaw is to the industry, he said.
Student Daniel Hill, Plymouth, explained how he lost his job at Gulf Stream Coach. However, before he was laid off, he knew something had to change. In July 2008, he decided to go to college. His last day of employment at Gulf Stream was Sept. 11, 2008, he said. Now, he's a full time student at Ivy Tech.
He's had the support of his wife and family, but Hill said his instructors at Ivy Tech also have been very helpful. He thanked his instructors and Ivy Tech.
Ted Harrell, Warsaw, started taking classes at Ivy Tech in the spring.
"I wanted to advance my training in CNC machining. They (Ivy Tech) offered the best training I could get in Warsaw, and I wouldn't have to travel far," said Harrell.
He was laid off earlier this year. That prompted Harrell to get more training in advanced manufacturing so his chances of being laid off again would decrease.
Harrell said he was impressed with the OAMTC. "This is an excellent facility," he said. "They've done a great job of setting it up. They have some great instructors here."
Alicia Miller has been an employee at Medtronic for almost five years. She's attending Ivy Tech to continue her education in advanced manufacturing and quality, she said. She wants to improve her abilities and move into the next level of quality.
By advancing her education, Miller said she will not only improve her skills, but also will be able to help Medtronic with any skills she learns.
"I think it's a very nice facility," said Miller of the OAMTC. "There's so much to offer. It's really awesome. It looks like a real company's layout."
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