Ivy Tech offers free classes to 10,000 participants

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With Governor Eric Holcomb announcing the "Rapid Recovery for a Better Future" initiative Friday, all Ivy Tech Community College campuses will offer free courses to 10,000 participants.

With the use of $50 million in federal funding, the program will focus on meeting the needs of the 650,000 Hoosiers impacted by unemployment, reduced work hours or furloughs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is critical that our state is not only providing these services but actively helping people get connected so they take that next step to a better future,” Holcomb said.

According to a press release from Ivy Tech, the state will ensure Indiana residents, businesses and communities are provided support and opportunities to build their occupational skills to land back on their feet.

"While we hope many will return to their jobs, this is an outstanding opportunity for Hoosiers to skill up and become more marketable to their current and future employers," Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said.

As part of the state-wide effort, Ivy Tech colleges will allow 10,000 participants to take courses or trainings in a "range of high-demand areas."

The list of classes include advanced manufacturing, information technology, business, mechanical engineering design and other courses.

These classes will be designed for participants to start and finish on their own timeline, with no regular course times. While some are limited in space, Ivy Tech plans to add more throughout the summer.

Training offerings for skills credit, as well as for-credit classes and trainings will be phased in later this summer.

Those interested can get detailed information about the available courses and register for free by visiting www.ivytech.edu/10kclasses.