Fifteen educators from Dubois, Pike and Perry Counties have been selected for an innovative program that will help them gain important knowledge aboutmanufacturing and the exciting careers available in this sector, which is the backbone of Indiana’seconomy.
The Dubois County Teachers’ Manufacturing Bootcamp will provide a weekly stipend during the two-week program as educators learn first-hand the skills needed to succeed in area manufacturing occupations. It will involve hands-on instruction and interactions with skilled individuals from various facets of manufacturing with assistance from Vincennes University.
Manufacturing occupations in Dubois County include a variety of technical and professional careers earning on average $55,000 annually, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Also, data shows that more than 35 percent of all earnings in Dubois County come from manufacturing.
Also, manufacturing is the biggest segment of the state's economy, outranking every other economic sector. It has accounted for more than half of the state’s growth in the last five years. Despite these impressive numbers, manufacturers report difficulty in recruiting and preparing the next generation of employees for these rewarding careers.
The goal of the Dubois County Teachers’ Manufacturing Bootcamp is to educate educators on the opportunities available in manufacturing, the broad skills that are needed to succeed in manufacturing and break stereotypes about manufacturing careers.
“Many manufacturers in our region are aware of their future workforce needs and the inaccurate perception of their industry,” says Jim Heck, executive director of the Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Investment Board, Inc. “This program will arm teachers with the knowledge to influence the future pipeline of employees.”
Fifteen educators have been selected for the first year of the program, which is kicked off with orientation on June 2 and will include time at five participating manufacturers – Kimball Electronics, Kimball International, Jasper Engines, Masterbrand Cabinets, and OFS Brands.
“As both the Region 11 chairwoman for the Workforce Development Board and Human Resources Manager for Kimball Electronics Jasper, I am excited to see the Dubois County Teacher’s Manufacturing Bootcamp come to reality through the collaboration of five manufacturers (Kimball Electronics, Jasper Engines, OFS, Masterbrand Cabinets, and Kimball International), the educators, Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board staff, and Vincennes University. Kimball Electronics is pleased to be participating in this important endeavor. The development of our future workforce and the role these participants in the boot camp can play is one of the single most important aspects we need to maintain relevance and drive growth in the markets we serve” shared Sue Habig.
“Kimball International is proud to be part of the collaboration that is currently taking place between manufacturers, educators and the higher-education community – all focused on sharing the importance of manufacturing to our state and region,” explained Bob Schneider, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Kimball International. “The teachers who are participating will learn about the careers available in manufacturing, the type of skills that are needed to be successful and will be able to take back learnings they can apply in their classrooms to help develop our future workforce.”
Emily Small, MasterBrand Cabinets, Director of Public Relations states “MasterBrand Cabinets is excited about the partnership between the area manufacturing facilities and educators. We are looking forward to sharing our culture and available employment opportunities within MasterBrand Cabinets. In addition to employment opportunities, we will share with the educators our company philosophy of each associate contributing to our total business success. We look forward to providing first hand experiences with the selected educators allowing them to learn how they can apply or incorporate various parts of our business into their classrooms. MasterBrand Cabinets is proud to be a part of this program this summer.”
“Manufacturing has the outdated image of being “very physical, labor-intensive and having no career path,” says Jeff Eckert, Sr. VP of Manufacturing for OFS Brands, Inc. "It is important that these misconceptions are dispelled for our young people and an interest is sparked before they choose other jobs or head to four-year colleges. College right after high school is not for everyone. There are other options with great opportunities. Our investment in technology is demanding a higher skill set of our employees. It now becomes a win-win situation.”
“Jasper Engines is excited about the opportunity to share with our local educators about manufacturing in our industry. Our hope is, the educators will gain a better understanding of JASPER as a whole and gain hands on experience during off-line production exercises. We want the educators to take their learning and integrate it into their teaching in the classroom. JASPER understands the importance of making educators, parents, and students aware of the career opportunities that are located right here in Dubois County,” states Kate Schwenk, People Services Representative, Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
The curriculum for the program will be developed in partnership with Vincennes University and will include material on manufacturing safety, quality, lean manufacturing, process management, and reliability excellence. During visits to manufacturing locations, the educators will learn about job responsibilities, skill requirement, wages, work conditions, and career potential.
In addition, participating teachers will complete homework assignments, incorporate what they learn into classroom lessons, receive a weekly stipend of $550 and professional growth credits offered by Vincennes University.
"Partnerships like this one allow secondary educators to explore ideas about teaching and student engagement as learners themselves," says Laurel Smith, interim Provost of Vincennes University. "It's an opportunity for educators to be part of a new learning community as they enhance their own professional credentials."
"It is a privilege to be able to partner with business representatives and secondary educators in Dubois County," said Dr. Laurel Smith, Interim Provost, Vincennes University.
This is an important partnership which will allow our local educators to become more aware of the ever-changing manufacturing opportunities here in Dubois County.
The Bootcamp will provide educators with the knowledge and tools to introduce Advanced Manufacturing to students. The educators will see first-hand the complexity of modern manufacturing and the necessity for a workforce that has technical and mechanical aptitude. Dr. Chris Gray, Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Jasper Campus, Vincennes University
Jarred Howard, the director of career and technical education for this region, believes the program will give participating educators a new perspective.
“I am excited to see how this experience impacts instruction in the classroom. The Bootcamp will change the perspective of all educators who attend this event.”
Orientation kicks off the Bootcamp on June 2 with company visits beginning June 6 – 17 (Monday – Friday). Educators will make presentations of learned principals and classroom incorporation to close the Bootcamp on June 23 at Vincennes University-Jasper Campus CTIM Building. Presentations begin at 1pm EST. The public is welcome to attend.