TERRE HAUTE, IN – In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week last week, Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute announced the four students completing their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technology apprenticeship with scholarship support from the Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants.
“This scholarship allows the students to pursue their education at no cost and provides them with a living stipend to alleviate any financial stresses they might encounter while balancing both school and work,” said David Will, dean of the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Applied Sciences at Ivy Tech Terre Haute. “In addition, when the students complete their apprenticeship, they’ll graduate with an associate of applied science in HVAC technology and will be guaranteed employment at their apprenticeship site.”
Students earned the scholarship by being in their final two semesters of the HVAC technology program and showing exceptional efforts in the classroom. The students will work part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) to complete their on-the-job training while taking HVAC technology courses at Ivy Tech. The on-the-job training will mirror the course curriculum so that they can apply the skills they learn in the classroom in a real-world environment.
“This opportunity provides students with the flexibility to stay in the program and maintain career focus by supplementing their reduced on-the-job hours with a living stipend,” added Jeff Gossett, program chair for the HVAC technology program.
The Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grant is part of its commitment to upskill 50,000 people for a career in trades through technical and community colleges, community-based nonprofits, and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence over the next five years. Ivy Tech was one of 11 technical and community colleges throughout the nation to be selected. Statewide, the College received $700,000 to help expand its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technology program during the next two years. Ivy Tech Terre Haute was one of seven Ivy Tech campuses to receive funding through the partnership.
Ivy Tech announced the four students and their apprenticeship sites by inviting the students and their apprenticeship supervisor to sign a certificate of commitment, along with Bill Myers, who was representing the Lowe’s Foundation. The commitment certificates signified a promise to personal and professional growth. They marked the start of a future full of opportunities where skills and experience come together to build successful careers.
The students and their industry partners are Sean Staley and Carson Ealy, who will complete their apprenticeship experience at Roehm Refrigeration Heating and Cooling; Brayden Cagle, who will complete his apprenticeship experience at Cagle Heating and Cooling; and Grant Meek, who will complete his apprenticeship experience at Quality Refrigeration. Those who are interested can learn more about these students in the coming weeks by following @ivytechterrehaute on Facebook and Instagram.
Ivy Tech Community College offers flexible and affordable opportunities to earn a certificate, technical certificate, or associate degree in more than 40 programs, including HVAC technology. With five start dates each year, students can enroll for a convenient term. To learn more about the programs Ivy Tech offers, visit ivytech.edu/THprograms. Classes start on January 16, 2024.
####
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the community's needs. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana and out of state for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.
About the Lowe's Foundation
The Lowe's Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), is developing a community of skilled tradespeople to build and revitalize our homes, neighborhoods and infrastructure for the future. From 2023 through 2028, the Lowe's Foundation is investing $50 million to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence. To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation, visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
