IU Northwest, Ivy Tech College Northwest and the Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations will jointly sponsor a Jobs & Workforce Forum on Sunday, December 14. The event, which will be held at IU Northwest’s Bergland Auditorium at 3 p.m., will provide local construction trades professionals, including construction contractors, subcontractors and workers, with an overview of the process that will result in the construction of the university’s new Arts & Sciences Building, which is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2015. The $45 million academic building will be located on IU Northwest’s campus and serve both IU Northwest and Ivy Tech Northwest.
The forum will give local contractors an opportunity to hear about the broad outlines of the construction bidding process and individual tradespeople who are interested in working on the project will find out how to make their availability known to potential employers.
IU Northwest Chancellor William J. Lowe will participate in the event, to talk about the construction project and respective roles of Indiana University, IU Northwest and contractors who will work on the new building. Ivy Tech Community College Northwest will also be represented at the Forum.
“We at IU Northwest value the opportunity to contribute to public awareness about the construction of the new Arts & Sciences Building,” Lowe said. “Community engagement is the hallmark of IU Northwest’s commitment to addressing regional priorities and the quality of life in the communities where our students live. Part of that commitment is providing local businesses and workers with information that can lead to opportunities.”
Lowe also stressed that because the construction project is state-supported and financed for Indiana University, IU Northwest and Ivy Tech Northwest, the bidding and contractor selection process must be conducted in accordance with Indiana state law and regulations. While IU Northwest can help to explain the construction bidding process, selection of contractors is conducted centrally by Indiana University, in compliance with state regulations.
The new Arts & Sciences Building demonstrates IU’s commitment to and investment in student academic success and Northwest Indiana. The academic building will serve the educational needs of both IU Northwest and Ivy Tech students, which will strengthen the partnership between the two institutions and enhance the transfer-student pathway. The building is anticipated to open in 2017.
About Indiana University Northwest
As one of seven Indiana University campuses, IU Northwest leads the region as the premier, urban campus dedicated to serving the needs of more than 6,000 students from the state’s most diverse and industrialized region. Committed to helping its local Northwest Indiana communities thrive, IU Northwest is best-known for providing a personal, quality and affordable education close to home. IU Northwest positions its students to be leaders with more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. For more information, please visit www.iun.edu.