Local problems are best served with local solutions. Thankfully, that’s just what local higher-learning institutions are doing in Columbus.
Companies and corporations here have had to search outside the community for workers with advanced skills. However, local efforts seem capable of changing that trend.
The latest example of local colleges creating courses and degree programs to prepare students for careers in engineering and other STEM professions is a two-year Associate of Science in Engineering degree from Ivy Tech Community College’s Columbus campus.
One notable aspect of the degree program is that credits can transfer next door to IUPUC toward a four-year degree. They’ll transfer to other state colleges and some private schools, too.
Also, Ivy Tech’s curriculum will mirror the IUPUI/IUPUC curriculum. That’s helpful because it makes a transition into IUPUC’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program easier. IUPUC introduced the program three years ago as a Purdue University degree.
In April of this year, Purdue Polytechnic announced a Bachelor of Science program allowing companies to tailor degrees to specific job requirements. The program is intended for students for whom specialized training is needed for their employment.
Cultivating homegrown talent is essential for workforce development and establishing a strong pipeline of potential workers to local companies. Columbus colleges and businesses are to be commended for their commitment to achieving solutions that will produce more skilled workers locally, which in turn benefits the community.
