Partnership to Create Training Center

March 16, 2012

News Release

Jasper, Ind. - Area economic development will receive a boost thanks to the backing of Vincennes University, Purdue University, and the Dubois County Area Development Corporation (DCADC).

The partners will jointly fund the cost to support a wide range of technology training for southwestern Indiana employers for the next three years. With offices at the Jasper Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center, now under construction at the VU Jasper Campus, the training will bring together the resources of VU, Purdue, and DCADC.

The new VUJC Center will add more than 54,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space for instruction in the latest technologies needed for workers to succeed in the modern workforce. As part of the partnership, applicants will soon be sought to lead the local technology training office.

“This partnership supports the state’s economic development strategy of building private/public partnerships that create synergy and efficiencies as part of a sustainable drive to grow a prosperous economy. It complements the missions of VU and Purdue and their statewide technology programs,” said VU President Dick Helton.

Speaking on behalf of area employers, Jim Dinkle, president of the Dubois County Area Development Corporation, said the partnership is another chapter in DCADC’s goal to drive economic growth. “The Dubois County Area Development Corporation has been a financial sponsor of the Purdue Technical Assistance Program (TAP) in southwest Indiana since 2007. Not only will our new TAP partnership with Vincennes University and Purdue be of enormous benefit to manufacturers and other businesses, it will also serve as a buttress and as a conduit to the $12 million Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center under construction on the Vincennes University Jasper Campus,” Dinkle said.

Partnerships such as this will prove beneficial for area employers and the economy, according to L. David Snow, director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center at Purdue University’s Technical Assistance Program.

“The Technical Assistance Program is pleased to be part of this initiative with Vincennes University and the Dubois County Area Development Corporation to work collaboratively in advancing manufacturers and businesses in the region. Our 2007 partnership, supported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and DCADC, laid this groundwork and now we're extending through March 2015 with an additional capability that will become available through the VU Jasper Technology Center. This partnership and the dual representation role will provide a much more efficient and relevant set of business solutions in a single point of contact. We anticipate measureable economic results for businesses and our institutions,” Snow said.

Citing the challenges faced by area businesses as they compete in a rapidly changing environment, Dr. Alan Johnson, dean of the VU Jasper Campus, said the resources of state universities play a key role in helping employers.

“This agreement marks a significant increase in technical expertise available to this region. By combining the training resources of Purdue and Vincennes universities with the support of the DCADC, the manufacturers in Dubois County and southwest Indiana will be better prepared to compete in the global economy,” Johnson said.

TAP is leading the recruitment process for the partnership and the new position of Business and Industry Account Manager. Interested parties can apply through the Purdue employment website for position number 1200397.

TAP supports performance improvement in Indiana companies and organizations through various programs and services that utilize faculty, students, and staff in nine statewide offices. Employers served include companies, hospitals, health departments, and governmental units throughout the state.

Impacts are considerable, and since 1986 TAP programs and services have assisted over 10,000 organizations, trained over 21,000 employees, boosted sales by $421 million, increased capital investments by $184 million, contributed to cost savings of $92 million, and saved or added over 10,000 jobs in the state, according to the organizations that were assisted.

Source: Vincennes University