Higher Wages Suggested To Cover Starke County Residents’ Basic Needs

January 14, 2016AuthorTyler Maffitt, WKVI 

 

It takes a bit more pay to support a family in Starke County than some of the surrounding areas.

That’s according to data in a report released by the Indiana Institute for Working Families. A team of researchers from the University of Washington helped develop the standard which attempts to define salary levels for residents to attain self-sufficiency.

According to the report, self-sufficiency includes paying for costs like housing, child care, food, transportation, and healthcare without receiving assistance. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Special Projects Coordinator Ron Gifford says daycare is an area Starke County tends to be out of line.

“We’re $300 to $400 to $500 more for someone who’s an adult with one preschooler,” says Gifford. “And that continues across the board no matter how many kids somebody might have. Our childcare costs, for some reason, seem to be way high compared to the other, neighboring counties.”

According to the 2016 report, the average cost of living between 2005 and 2016 has increased by 60-percent in the Hoosier state. Meanwhile, median earnings have only risen by 9-percent.

For a household with one adult and one child, Starke County was on the higher end in the state for self-sufficient earnings: requiring an hourly wage rate of $17.82 cents. That compares to $14.58 in Pulaski County and $14.53 per hour in Marshall County. The required wages change based on family composition.

Gifford says many of their grant funded programs are currently attempting to increase the wages paid to new workers in Starke County, but also incumbent workers.

“We’re looking to train some of those folks and give them some additional skills so they can move up and take higher paying jobs in that particular business which will also then give rise and a need for hiring additional people at the lower level,” says Gifford. “That’s what the grant that we just got for SCILL from OCRA is all about.”

Researchers who developed the report recommend wage increases alongside access to post-secondary education. Job training was also recommended as a way to increase earning power.

The Starke County Community Foundation says it takes time to address some of these economic issues while being faced with demographic differences.

SCILL Receives Award from NIPSCO

Published: September 17, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning is being recognized by NIPSCO for its efforts in strengthening local communities in the area of education. SCILL is one of five recipients of the fifth annual NIPSCO Luminary Awards being presented this evening in Merrillville.

Coordinator of student services and programs Jerry Gurrado says the recognition means a lot to the organization, “Sometimes you’re fortunate enough to get an award and it’s rather hollow or shallow, but coming from NIPSCO, they’re pretty diligent in how they do their screening process, so it’s just a tremendous honor.”

He says the group deserves the recognition, “It’s always nice to be recognized, but we’ve always been just a little bit prejudiced and thought that we have this little hidden gem here in Starke County that is something that the entire county should be proud of because so many entities and people have been instrumental in our success.”

Gurrado says it feels good to be part of a team that’s doing amazing work, “All of us have days when we kind of grind at work and days when you kind of scratch your head and wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing. You don’t do it for awards, but when something like this pops up, it just makes you feel so proud of your entire organization because you know that this wasn’t through the efforts of just one person or a small committee or anything like that.”

Additionally, NIPSCO’s donating $1,000 to each award winner’s charity of choice.

Gurrado says the money for SCILL will likely go to the Starke County Community Foundation.

SCILL Offers Adult Welding Classes

Published: August 28, 2014

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Adults who want to learn to weld or enhance their skills can take advantage of opportunities offered through the Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning. Classes offered through the SCILL Center’s Adult Welding Technology program meet two evenings per week for four hours at a time for 12 weeks.

Instructors are AWS certified and bring a great deal of hands-on knowledge to the classroom and lab setting. Students learn about blueprint reading/symbols, welding measurements, safety, MIG/TIG/Stick welding, aluminum welding, stainless welding, rolled pipe welding, oxy acetylene welding, brazing, plasma cutting and oxy fuel burning. They also have an opportunity to visit job fairs, tour area plants and meet with employers who are in need of trained welders. The cost for the class is $2,000 and includes all necessary materials. Eligible participants who apply through WorkOne may have some or all of the fees paid.

Interested applicants can contact WorkOne, SCILL or complete the application posted online at www.scill.biz.

SCILL Enrolling High School Students in Welding and Automotive Tech Programs

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Published: August 14th, 2014

Starke County high school students wishing to pursue a career in either welding or automotive technology can get a head start on doing so without leaving home. The Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning offers courses in both fields of study to high school juniors and seniors. Participants in the vocational welding technology program learn about various types of welding as well as how to read blueprints, handle tools and do the job safely. They also get ample hands-on experience and receive both high school and college credit for their participation in the program. The tuition cost is covered by their school corporation, but the students are responsible for their book rental and welding kit.

SCILL also offers a vocational automotive technology program. It’s also a two-year course of study for area high school juniors and seniors who attend classes at their school for half a day and spend the rest of their time at SCILL. They get hands-on instruction in brakes, electrical systems, engine performance, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmissions, vehicle heating and air conditioning and engine repair.

Students interested in enrolling in the SCILL Vocational Welding Technology Program or Vocational Automotive Technology Program can contact their high school guidance counselor, the SCILL Center or use the online application available at www.scill.biz or www.ncavc.info. Participating students will also have opportunities to intern with local businesses as part of the program.

5/18/2014 SCILL Auto Tech Car Show