University to train state employees

A $234,000 contract between the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the IU School of Continuing Studies will provide training opportunities for about 1,200 state employees.\nTraining will be given to state employees within the department who provide services to the unemployed and underemployed throughout Indiana.\n"IU's School of Continuing Studies and the Department of Workforce Development's Lifelong Learning Institute are joining forces to design and deliver professional development programs for workforce investment system staff in Indiana," Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Craig E. Hartzer said, in a press release.\nThe 1,200 people who will be trained serve 24,000 employers and 324,000 employees in Indiana, said Marcia Gray of the Department of Workforce Development. \nThe contract provides funding for the development and initiation of the training programs. IU will be involved in establishing the programs, and the workforce development department will continue the programs.\nThis contract will establish seven training programs, John Beeson, executive director of the Office of Learning Partnerships, said.\nJeremy Dunning, dean of the School of Continuing Studies, said programs will include computer skills, management training, oral and written communication and math skills.\n"Topics include helping (state employees) develop better assessment skills," Beeson said. "Clients have a variety of needs beyond unemployment. The first program will be on how to assess clients' needs."\nIU responded to a request for proposals the Department of Workforce Development put out about 18 months ago. Other educational institutions within Indiana applied, Dunning said.\nBeeson said the School of Continuing Studies is excited to have been chosen.\n"This is exactly what this office is supposed to do," Beeson said. "We are trying to make it a win-win situation for everyone involved."\nThe school will help the state and its workers, Dunning said.\nJohn Mahoney, training coordinator with the workforce development department, said the programs will give state employees better tools for serving Indiana's underemployed and unemployed.\n"It is to enhance the availability and quality of our training," Mahoney said. "IU is going to expand the training that they offer. They will help train on best practices."\nThe department doesn't have the resources to do this, but IU does.\nPrograms will take place throughout the state and might occur with the help of other universities.\n"We earned the right to broker this training with other universities and colleges," Beeson said. \nWith this contract, training for state employees will directly impact those who use the services of the department.\n"The partnership will enhance the availability, diversity and quality of training and education to Indiana's workforce investment system staff," Hartzer said.