Ivy Tech to offer enhanced manufacturing program
Comet staff report

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has granted approval for Ivy Tech Community College to split its manufacturing and industrial technology program into two new programs allowing the college to further expand its advanced manufacturing offerings as well as add two new certificate programs in mechatronics and manufacturing operations.

The college will split its Manufacturing and Industrial Technology degree program into two separate programs: Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Technology. The curriculum for the original manufacturing program was more heavily based in industrial technology. The split will allow Ivy Tech to offer additional coursework in advanced manufacturing, focusing on soft skills, lean manufacturing, quality systems, integrated manufacturing technology and project-based leadership skills.

Students in the new Advanced Manufacturing program will become MSSC (Manufacturing Skills Standards Council) certified within their first two classes. Students will also have to complete a 2-credit co-op with a manufacturing company at the end of the degree cycle.

Employers will now have candidates that possess a nationally recognized certification, an associate degree and manufacturing experience.

The change in the degree programs also means greater transferability to a four-year college or university with transfer programs for the Industrial Technology program already in place with Indiana State University and Purdue University.