New Noblesville partnership could strengthen local workforce

Abi Swinney is the kind of student that the Noblesville community hopes will find a job within the city. At 18, she’s at an age where she’s considering her future career.

In recent months, leaders have started working together to help create a stronger local workforce for employers here. Swinney, a senior at Noblesville High School, isn’t sure if she’s interested in working in the automotive business— but she’ll know by the end of the school year.

Thanks to a new program created through a partnership between the school, Ivy Tech Community College and Hare Truck Center, Swinney gets to work with cars every day.

Swinney and 12 other students are earning 15 dual-credits with Ivy Tech as part of an automotive technology course at her high school. After completing two years of coursework, students will gain an industry certification while already finishing half of an associate’s degree.

Noblesville launches community workforce initiative

In her automotive technology class, students work directly with employees in the industry to learn the basics, such as oil systems and tire rotations.

“It’s a lot more informational because you’re actually in a dealership and working with actual (people) and talking to them,” Swinney said.

Juniors and seniors are eligible to enroll in the daily three-hour course at Hare Truck Center, 477 Conner St, Noblesville. It’s part of a larger training program that will equip students with real-world skills and, hopefully, strengthen the local workforce.

A shortage of skilled labor has created a higher demand for jobs like those found in the automotive sector, said Monica Peck, co-owner of Hare. It can be difficult to find employees with prior education.

“It makes a big difference hiring somebody that’s been through these classes or earns these certificates versus hiring somebody right out of high school,” Peck said.

The hands-on experience will help students gain skills that aren’t always taught in the classroom, said Kathleen Lee, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s central region.

“The experience to be alongside some of the professionals, that soft skills stuff starts to rub off,” Lee said. “Be on time, be ready to go, those kind of things of what’s appropriate in a shop, what’s not appropriate in a shop.”

Noblesville High School received a $142,000 grant from the Indiana Workforce Development Department to pay for the program’s costs, including a job coach.

The grant and partnership is the latest in a community-wide initiative to help young people enter the local workforce.

In spring 2013, the high school established an internship program for 25 students with local businesses. That program has grown to more than 200 students this year.

In July, the city announced a community workforce initiative to provide online resources to students, businesses and employees on skills necessary for obtaining and retaining jobs in the area.

Call Star reporter Olivia Lewis at (317) 444-6126. Follow her on Twitter: @TheWrittenPeace.