Ivy Tech State College - Region 14/Bloomington

Ivy Tech Awarded Indiana Workforce Development Grant

October 4 , 2005

Bloomington, Indiana Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington was recently awarded a $594,803 Indiana Workforce Development grant that will allow 19 plastics companies in Indiana to begin the Global Plastics Certification Standards (GPCS) certification program. Over 500 plastics companies in Indiana manufacture a wide variety of plastics products, from cocktail swizzle sticks to intricate, miniaturized medical devices.

The GPCS is the only structured method of apprenticeship certification in the world for the plastics industry. Employees who successfully complete the GPCS certification, under the supervision of Mid-America Plastics Partners (MAPP), earn both GSPC international certification and three college credits from Ivy Tech Community College.

“The support we have received from Ivy Tech and from the Indiana Workforce Development has made all the difference in the world,” said MAPP Director Troy Nix. “Ivy Tech has provided indispensable strategic and logistical support. The funding provided by Indiana Workforce Development has allowed Indiana to set the standard for plastics manufacturing excellence on national and international fronts.”

Ivy Tech-Bloomington, MAPP and Indiana Workforce Development are working together to expand the GPCS certification program to a formal two-year degree in plastic manufacturing.