Northwest Indiana business leaders and elected officials gathered in Gary last week to recognize a new generation of skilled craftsmen to the union construction industry.

The ceremony, held Dec. 19 at Ivy Tech Community College and sponsored by the Construction Advancement Foundation, highlighted the apprentices, trainees, and graduates of a public/private program known as the Indiana Plan, which provides minorities, women, and dislocated workers with the academic, safety, and workplace training necessary to enter the apprenticeship programs in the construction trades.

Of the 63 honored, 37 have completed classroom training and have worked for area contractors on construction sites. Several have been accepted into union apprenticeship schools. Another 26 have completed classroom training, have been placed on jobs with area contractors, and are in their first year of union apprenticeship training.

“I’ve been most appreciative of the collaboration of everyone involved,” said Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, who attended the event. “We said all along it wasn’t about jobs. It’s about careers. We’re going a long way to make this a better place to live and work.”

“The renewed interest of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Sen. Rogers’ involvement has breathed new life into the Indiana Plan at a crucial time for Northwest Indiana,” said Joree Richards, area coordinator of the Indiana Plan.

“As the construction industry continues to expand in Indiana, we need to ensure that more and more Hoosiers have the necessary training and skills to succeed in the construction trades,” said Teresa Voors, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

The Indiana Plan classroom curriculum includes math classes, tool safety instruction, and career planning, and allows participants to lean fundamental skills to become an asset to the construction industry.

Posted 12/27/2007