News from our Chamber
Logistics leader to speak Dec. 12
The way to get it from here to there, that’s
logistics. So, it’s no surprise one of the
primary areas of focus for the Greater Elkhart
Chamber has been on local and regional
transportation.
David Holt, Conexus Indiana’s
vice president of operations
and business development, will
describe the “Plan for North
Central Indiana’s Logistics
Industry” at a Transportation
Council breakfast on Thursday, Dec. 12. The
event will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at
the Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041
Cassopolis St., Elkhart.
Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers, and registration can be completed
at Elkhart.org.
The event is sponsored by Cargo Services,
Marbach Brady & Weaver, Newmark Grubb
Cressy & Everett, Rieth-Riley Construction,
Robert Weed Plywood, St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center, Skyline and The Troyer Group.
Career Day: Nearly two dozen professionals, ranging from scientists and environmental managers
to artists and musicians, told 400 Concord Junior High School eighth graders about their work
during the Chamber’s career day presentations in November. The Education Council organizes
opportunities for students to hear directly from professionals on education, work and lifestyle habits
to spark interest in particular fields. Speakers will be at Elkhart’s North Side Middle School on Dec.
10, and at other area middle schools in the coming months. To participate, contact Kathy Cardwell at
[email protected] or call (574) 293-1531.
OSHA 10-hour trainings set
Safety managers and supervisors will have
several opportunities in the coming months to
learn more about implementing procedures in
the work place to satisfy OSHA regulations.
ISES and the Greater Elkhart Chamber will
present 10-hour certification courses for
construction (Jan. 7-8) and general industry
(Feb. 11-12). Compliance objectives will be
detailed, and attendees will receive reference
materials and a U.S. Department of Labor
completion card.
The 10-hour general industry training is
required to attend the 20-hour course slated
for March 11-13. All events will take place
at the Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041
Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Registration and
pricing information is available at Elkhart.org.
Leading Business asks area colleges: “How is your institution working with
businesses and community leaders to ensure students are work ready upon leaving college?”
Trine University
Trine University conducts
outreach with employers
and accompanies faculty
on collaborative visits to
organizations. These visits
provide Trine the opportunity to
learn firsthand what educators
can do to prepare students for
their future careers. Additionally,
we discover the challenges that
students face on the job and the
skills required by employers.
Business leaders and employers
provide valuable input about
areas that would enhance our
programs and make the skills of
the students more applicable to
their industries.
Goshen College
With a focus on experiential
learning and an applied liberal
arts education, Goshen College
students not only graduate with
strong fundamental academic
skills, but also with intercultural
skills, international experiences
and real world know-how.
For example, students in the
nationally ranked accounting
program have the opportunity
to study business in Spain or
China, take part in a required
paid internship with some of the
nation’s top firms, and almost
100 percent of students are hired
upon (or before) graduation.
Harrison College
Harrison College’s motto is “career
focused, success driven.” Since
1902, we have prepared our students
for career success by providing
programs relevant to the needs of
our local community’s workforce
demands. Harrison College’s
curriculum has been developed
through continued collaboration
with local business leaders and
research of industry growth trends
to ensure graduates have strong
career potentials with the skills
and knowledge employers need.
For a Harrison College graduate,
the transformational impact of
attaining a degree is significant; their
opportunities are limitless.
Purdue College of
Technology
Typically what we do is connect
our students with employers for
an internship experience. This
gives the student a glimpse of the
corporate culture and what the
company expects of its employees.
… Our graduates are generally
viewed as having the technical
skill the employer expects for
new employees. On “soft-skills,”
we work with the local career
services office … and expect
students to attend networking
type events. Another thing we
do is work with local industry to
complete sponsored projects on
“real problems.” The industry
benefits in that it gets a fresh look at
solving a problem it is experiencing
and also connects students and
employers for future internships
and permanent employment a