Adult Education & Employment Training

The YMCA’s Project Connect program prepares adult learners for a rewarding entry-level career in the medical field through a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) certification training. Certified Nursing Aides, also called nursing attendants or assistants, provide basic care and help with basic living activities for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities. Some nursing aides and attendants may also dispense medication. In nursing homes, nursing assistants are often the principal caregivers. They have more contact with residents than other members of the staff.

CNA Training Requirements:

• Complete at least 105 training hours, which includes at least 75 hours of clinical training and 30 hours of classroom education.
• Pass the written and skills test on the state competency evaluation.
• Maintain a good standing (no instances of abuse or neglect) on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry.
• There is a two-year limit on examination eligibility. A nurse aide who is not working in the field must still pass the exam within two years. Otherwise, he or she will have to take another approved program in order to restore eligibility.

As an adult education provider, the YMCA utilizes grant funding through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and EmployIndy to provide full tuition coverage for individuals that qualify. This is valued at over $900 for the complete training program including the required state exam fees.

Interested applicants must meet program qualifications prior to enrollment. For more information or to apply for this program, please click on the “Sign Up Here” link at the bottom of this page.

To view the upcoming CNA Training Program schedule, please click on the “Download” button below. Prior to registering for an upcoming Intake Session by clicking “Sign Up Here”, please ensure that you would be available for all class dates/times in the event you are approved to enroll in the program.

The YMCA’s Project Connect program prepares adult learners for a rewarding career in the medical field through a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) certification training. The role of a QMA involves administering both prescription and non-prescription medications to patients and then monitoring their reactions, all under the supervision of a licensed nurse. QMAs start out as CNAs, so they already have specialized training in direct patient care.

QMA Pre-Requisites and Training Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have proof of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be in good standing as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) on the Indiana Aide Registry.
• Worked a minimum of 1,000 hours as a CNA within the last 24 months.
• Complete the 100 hour QMA Training Program, including 60 hours in the classroom and 40 hours passing medication supervised by a licensed Nurse in a clinical environment.

As an adult education provider, the YMCA utilizes grant funding through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and EmployIndy to provide full tuition coverage for individuals that qualify. This is valued at over $1,200 for the complete training program including the required state exam fees.

Interested applicants must meet program qualifications prior to enrollment. For more information or to apply for this program, please click on the “Sign Up Here” link at the bottom of this page.

The YMCA Project Connect program is launching a new opportunity for adult learners who want to earn their High School Equivalency (HSE) credential. An HSE is an alternative for earning a high school diploma. The HSE Diploma can be earned after completing a test based on five subject areas (math, reading, writing, science and social studies). This merit is often sought after by adults as a personal goal, professional requirement, or college acceptance.

Program time will be spent assessing and growing participant’s skills as individual adult learners in the five subject areas. By enrolling in the YMCA HSE Prep program, participants will work with the Project Connect Education Specialist and have access to direct support, virtual instruction, academic monitoring, childcare, and financial aid for testing fees.

Education plays an important role in life by improving your knowledge and preparing you to get a better job. Workers who have a high school diploma earn over $8,000 more per year than those who do not. Taking the HSE test is your first step to moving forward. Whether your goal is to get a better job or continue on your educational pathway to a certificate, 2-year associate degree or 4-year bachelor’s degree, this is where your second chance starts.

Who can sign up for the HSE Prep Program?

• Participants who are at least 16 years of age.
• Anyone living in Indiana for a minimum of 30 days before taking the test.
• Those who have not already earned a diploma from an accredited high school in the United States.

Interested applicants must meet program qualifications prior to enrollment. For more information or to apply for this program, please click on the “Sign Up Here” link at the bottom of this page.

The YMCA Project Connect program will pilot a new virtual learning opportunity beginning January 2022 through an online platform, 180 Skills. The Employability Skills Training opportunity is geared for YMCA members and the community to gain knowledge and skills that foster personal and professional development.

The YMCA has designed six online learning paths that will be available with topics varying from Career Building, Customer Service, Personal Finance, Life Skills & Time Management, and Workplace Skills just to name a few. Through a series of learning modules and certification tracks, a participant can position themselves for new career opportunities and individual growth at their own pace.

The YMCA Project Connect Employability Skills Training will also offer a monthly opportunity for in-person workshops hosted at various YMCA center locations with the Workforce Development and Career Connector. Participation in this program will also give participants access to the 180 Skills online learning paths along with career supports, potential job leads, and job readiness assistance.

For more information or to register for this program, please click on the “Sign Up Here” link at the bottom of this page.

The Child and Youth Care Certification (CYC) is a national credential for child and youth care work practitioners. It is based on a three-tiered system beginning with Entry Level and includes Associate and Professional Levels. CYC certification allows practitioners to demonstrate their development as professionals and participate in true career development. Over time, practitioners can combine in-service training, formal education, and work experience to qualify for increasingly advanced positions or they can continue to work in the same setting with the ability to meet a wider range of youth needs.

The YMCA partners with the Indiana Youth Services Association (IYSA) to provide this certification training at various times throughout the year. After completion of the training portion of this program, individuals can apply for job and career opportunities within the Youth Development YMCA, which provides before and after school programs and camp opportunities for youth across Indianapolis.

As an adult education provider, the YMCA utilizes grant funding through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and EmployIndy to provide full tuition coverage for individuals that qualify for this training program.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that invites individuals to serve alongside each other for the betterment of every community. AmeriCorps members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, and more. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis is proud to host AmeriCorps members each year that focus on implementing Youth Empowerment programs across various YMCA centers and communities.

AmeriCorps is an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and talent to strengthen communities. Y AmeriCorps members receive several benefits during their service year, including a monthly stipend, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, and a free YMCA membership.

For more information on how to become an AmeriCorps member for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, please contact Meresa Creekmore-Armor at mcreekmorearmor@indymca.org.

The YMCA Internship Model is designed to provide college students exposure to YMCA career opportunities through structured internships and work experience.  The model provides students an opportunity to select a specific internship track from the Y’s three areas of impact.

1. Youth Development – focuses on before and after school programs, camps, education, and preschool/early learning programs
2. Healthy Living – focuses on health-based initiatives, well-being and fitness, and sports and recreation
3. Social Responsibility – focuses on community development initiatives, volunteerism, and philanthropy

Students can expect the following components to be included during their YMCA internship experience:

• Practical work experience, including at least one problem-solving project
• An opportunity to observe, contribute, and rotate through different areas of the YMCA
• Training, either “formal,” on-the-job or virtual/remote along with constructive, on-going feedback for personal and professional development
• Career connections, mentorship, and networking opportunities within the YMCA and communities served

For more information on YMCA internship opportunities, please contact Meresa Creekmore-Armor at mcreekmorearmor@indymca.org.