As a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to expand access to in-demand job opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) selected Ivy Tech Community College, including the Fort Wayne and Warsaw locations, as one of 18 organizations in the nation to oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).
Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) are third party industry and workforce leaders that will evaluate and recognize high-quality IRAPs consistent with the Department’s standards. Ivy Tech, along with the other 18 SREs, is tasked with expanding apprenticeship opportunities in industries where apprenticeships have been underutilized. The recognition of the SREs follows a rigorous review from the Department to ensure that they have the capacity and quality-assurance procedures needed to monitor IRAPs. SREs can now begin to work with employers and other entities to establish, recognize and monitor high-quality IRAPs that provide apprentices with industry-recognized credentials. SRE recognition is valid for five years.
“Ivy Tech is proud to be one of a select group of colleges chosen to lead this new endeavor for the U.S. Department of Labor,” says Kaylene Smith, Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s director of apprenticeship and work-based learning. “Our SRE designation will benefit Ivy Tech and our industry partners by providing another tool to expand apprenticeships and help close the skills gap in Indiana.”
Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw currently works with over 40 industry partners to facilitate their apprenticeship programs. These programs are especially beneficial to our partners because they enhance employee retention. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 91% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship program remain with their employer.
The Department’s announcement of this inaugural SRE cohort marks the culmination of the Department’s work in response to the recommendations of the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. Created under President Trump’s Executive Order to Expand Apprenticeships in America issued on June 15, 2017, the 20 member Task Force, headed by the Secretary of Labor and co-chaired by the Secretaries of Commerce and Education, expanded upon the Administration’s commitment to apprenticeship development and expansion. Since Jan. 1, 2017, over 800,000 individuals have found employment through an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships have a proven track record of producing strong results for both employers and workers.
The 18 organizations newly recognized as SREs are:
- AED Foundation (National);
- Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (Alabama);
- American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (National);
- ANSI National Accreditation Board (National);
- Apprenticeship Missouri (Missouri);
- ApprenticeshipNC (North Carolina);
- Colorado Community College System (Colorado);
- Energy Sector Security Consortium INC (National);
- FANUC-ROCKWELL SRE (National);
- FASTPORT (National);
- Franklin Apprenticeships (National);
- Iowa Department of Education (Iowa);
- Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana (Indiana);
- National Institute for Metalworking Skills (National);
- Peregrine Technical Solutions (National);
- Smart Automation Certification Alliance (National);
- Texas Workforce Commission (Texas); and
- WTIA Workforce Consulting (National).
For more information about each SRE, please visit: apprenticeship.gov/employers/industry-recognized-apprenticeship-program/approved-standards-recognition-entities
To learn more about apprenticeships at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw, visit IvyTech.edu/apprenticeships/ or contact Smith at 260-480-4185 or ksmith807@ivytech.edu
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