NE campus here may get new workforce training center

If promised funding comes through, the Northeast at New Albany campus should get a next workforce training center added.

NEMCC President Ricky Ford told Union County Supervisors Monday that such an addition is “deeply needed.”

The funding in question is $100 million in bond funds, Ford said, and was promised. “But that was before the election,” he noted.

The school is increasing focus on technology and workforce training, and already has a special welding unit added to the campus here.

Along with the planned addition, Ford said he is talking with city and county school superintendents Dr. Lance Evans and Ken Basil about something called a “communiversity.” Typically, that means high schools can include a variety of credit or non-credit courses that would be sufficient to give students technical certification upon graduation. That’s instead of having to attend a two-year college, and being ready for employment right out of high school.

Ford said Northeast is seeing increased success in technology with job placement rates ranging from 94 to 96.2 percent.

Also related to technology, Ford said an announcement will be made Wednesday that Northeast has become an Apple Distinguished School, which he said is a first for higher education institutions in the state (New Albany schools became Apple Distinguished Schools this past fall).

The distinction is based on achieving several goals, one of which is having a computer or tablet device for every student and teacher in the school.

Northeast has 3,680 full-time students and Ford said this is the third consecutive year enrollment has increased.

This past year Union County provided $454,137 to Northeast of general operations and $522,538 for enlargement and improvements.

According to information provided, the cost of operations for the New Albany campus is $304,531, not counting Workforce Education, Adult Basic Education or WIOA programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act replacing Workforce Investment Act services that are also provided.

Also listed was return on investment.

For each dollar paid in tax in Union County:

$0.39 in wages was paid to Union County residents.

$2.26 in aid was given to Union County students.

$2.66 was the total economic benefit to county residents.