Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) today announced an academic partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and a consortium of utilities in Indiana, to offer courses and programs aimed at increasing the awareness of industry careers and provide the skills and knowledge needed to gain long-term employment in the electric and natural gas industry.

“As the current workforce retires and the demand for energy continues to grow, hundreds of positions will need to be filled across Indiana, both with utilities and the contractors that support them,” said Colleen Reilly, director of communications and public affairs for NIPSCO. “You don’t need to be an engineer or hold a four-year degree to take these courses. The Ivy Tech programs will provide excellent hands-on and real-life experience, and it is a great step for anyone interested in working for NIPSCO.”

Program participants can obtain career development certificates in industrial technology with specialties in electric line construction, power plant technology and natural gas technology. These certificates will help prepare individuals for careers as an electric lineman, substation electrician, plant mechanic, power plant operator, gas serviceman and more.

Beginning next week, Ivy Tech will hold two open house sessions at its Valparaiso and East Chicago campuses. Representatives from NIPSCO, Ivy Tech Community College and WorkOne will be available to discuss the future of energy and potential job opportunities, training opportunities, the admissions process, financial aid and services available to job- seekers.

Open house dates and times are: Thursday, Oct. 16: 6-7:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech Valparaiso Campus, Auditorium, 3100 Ivy Tech Dr., Valparaiso and Friday, Oct. 17: 9:30-11 a.m. at Ivy Tech East Chicago Campus, Room 205, 410 East Columbus Drive, East Chicago, Ind.

For more information about the Ivy Tech programs, or the open house sessions, please contact Aco Sikoski at 464-8514 or asikoski@ivytech.edu

To learn more about available job opportunities with NIPSCO, visit www.nipsco.com

 and select the career opportunities link.

NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With over 712,000 natural gas customers and 445,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com

Posted 10/13/2008