Heartland Career Center, in partnership with Indiana’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA), developed seven certified State Earn and Learn (SEAL) programs that were recognized at the Honeywell Center in Wabash on Feb. 25.
These programs include Diesel Services, Networking/Cyber Security, Criminal Justice, Auto Collison Repair, Industrial Electronics/Robotics, Construction, and Culinary Arts.
Each Heartland SEAL program includes a minimum of 1,250 combined hours of related instruction and relevant work-based learning. Depending upon their specific SEAL program, students can earn from nine to 21 post-secondary credits with either Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University. Each Heartland SEAL also includes two to five industry-recognized certifications.
“Heartland Career Center has consistently demonstrated a commitment to establishing public-private partnerships that enable their students to complete impactful work-based learning experiences with local employers,” said Matt DeGolyer, a Regional Director of OWBLA. “Heartland’s seven new SEAL programs bring their overall total number of certified SEALs to a state-leading, 11. Collectively these SEALs have more than 40 local employer partners who have committed to hosting work-based learning students.”
Upon completion of the SEAL, students will be prepared for multiple pathways to a successful future. Students may elect to pursue full-time employment with local business partners or leverage their post-secondary credits to continue their education and training.
“We are grateful to be a part of such a valuable program that allows area students to develop skills that enable them to join the workforce right out of high school. It’s a win for both the students and our community of employers who are looking for local talent to join their industry. We have been able to experience the benefit firsthand with talented students who have come to work for us from Heartland Career Center,” said Larry Eggers, HR Manager of Wabash Trucking.
“Heartland Career Center is a great avenue to locate and groom qualified technicians for our business,” said Brett Mullett, Body Shop Manager of Shepherd’s Chevrolet.
SEALs are Indiana’s state-level apprenticeship type programs. They are designed to deliver work and learn experience for participants along with the skills and certifications that employers value. These programs are geared toward both adult and youth populations, and they satisfy Indiana’s high school graduation pathway requirements.
DWD projects Indiana employers will need to fill more than 1 million additional jobs in the next 10 years, half of which will not require a four-year college degree, but some type of certification or credential beyond a high school diploma.
For more information about the Heartland Career Center SEALs or SEALs in general, visit the OWBLA website at www.INwbl.com or email the Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship at wbl@dwd.in.gov.
