ICN tests new program to improve educational access for working adults

Released: November 5, 2004
Contact: Susan Sullivan, 317.263.8849, ssulliva@ihets.org

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana College Network (ICN), in partnership with the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, has begun initial testing of a new program designed to improve educational access and opportunities for Indiana’s working adults.

Launched on November 4, the “ICN@Work” program at the Roudebush VA Medical Center will provide that facility’s employees with flexible educational options through e-learning, including online and video courses from Indiana colleges and universities.

From an on-site learning center located in the hospital, Roudebush employees can choose from, enroll in, and complete individual courses or one of nearly 150 degree or certificate programs.

The pilot at the Roudebush facility includes specially trained on-site and online personnel to assist employees with choosing courses and programs that best meet their needs and interests. Employees can take advantage of critical student support services, like pre-enrollment and financial aid counseling, online registration, test proctoring, and technical support. Other custom services may be developed based on experience with the pilot.

“In today’s knowledge economy, only organizations whose employees keep learning stay competitive,” explains Susan Scott, director of ICN, a service of Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS).

ICN@Work offers high-quality education and related support services that meet employees’ career goals as well as strategic organizational needs. “The program is geared toward adult learners who want to continue their educations by using distance education technology from the convenience of their workplaces and homes,” reports Scott.

Roudebush and other employers are likely to benefit from the program by creating better access for their employees to develop strong skill sets and competencies. “ICN@Work allows employees to complete classes and programs needed for employment or promotion within a specific field or industry, such as health care. ICN currently offers more than 20 degree or certificate programs in the health professions, for example, including radiation technology, community health, histotechnology, nursing, and public health,” Scott noted.

The Roudebush employees are not limited to health-related courses, however. They can choose individual courses from more than 2,500 college courses or pursue a certificate or degree programs in fields such as business, law enforcement, computer technology, or accounting.

ICN@Work will provide students at Roudebush with a single source of current information about classes and programs offered by Indiana’s higher education institutions, including Ball State, Indiana State, Indiana University, Purdue University, Indiana Wesleyan, Ivy Tech, University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, and University of Saint Francis, among others.

For more information about ICN, visit www.icn.org or call 800-426-8899.

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