New thinking: a concise, collaborative, statewide workforce development strategy.(VIEWPOINT)

EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS been the key to improving individual earnings and employability, and it is equally true that investments in our collective human resources will yield the greatest improvement in our collective bottom line. Workforce development has long been a key strategy for Indiana, but the opportunities created by these economic times demand new thinking. With our state facing budget pressures, we need innovative, efficient, cost effective ideas. We don't necessarily need to spend more in order to do more--but we do need to spend wisely.

So how can Indiana do more with less? How can our state reverse alarming trends in higher education attainment while not disproportionately increasing its costs? The solution is a concise, collaborative, statewide workforce development strategy. We must leverage the strengths of the excellent organizations currently educating our workforce, while also eliminating duplication and waste wherever possible. We must help those starting a career or changing jobs find the clearest, easiest route to employment. We must not be territorial, nor can we be shortsighted. Everyone has a role, and everyone must make a long-term commitment to working together.

Ivy Tech Community College is just one of the organizations that will need to evolve as part of such a collaborative statewide workforce development effort. We certainly believe our faculty can provide workers with the 21st century skills they need. We also believe our workforce development programs can give employers a ready solution to their need for accelerated certified training. There may be places, however, where Ivy Tech must adapt existing services or add new ones to resolve unmet needs. We are eager to work with our partner organizations across the state to identify these opportunities.

Ivy Tech Community College also invites you--Indiana's business community--to partner with us. With your support, we can better serve students and employers, and with our capabilities, we can provide you with invaluable resources. We need business leaders willing to serve on our advisory boards and willing to help us develop and review curriculum to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of today's employers. We need your expertise to ensure that we stay current with the technologies you're using in your day-to-day operations. And, of course, we need you to continue to provide our graduates with jobs in their chosen fields.

In return, we're committed to providing you with a workforce that's ready to help you grow and customized training programs that will sharpen and broaden your employees' skills. Our relationship with Indiana employers is mutually beneficial, and we welcome you to be part of Ivy Tech's success.

Thomas J. Snyder is president of Ivy Tech Community College

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