Schools, Organizations Score Grants
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence has announced winners of a second round of Innovative Career and Technical Training grants. The funding, totaling $1 million, will support advanced robotics, agriculture and precision machining initiatives at eight schools and organizations. February 10, 2015
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence today announced the eight winning school and business partnerships in the second round of Innovative Career and Technical Training grants, which will help to make available to Indiana high school students new work-based learning opportunities in advanced robotics, agriculture and precision machining technologies.
“Indiana's Regional Works Councils are leading the charge when it comes to ensuring our young people are on a pathway to success in the workforce or in post-secondary studies,” said Governor Pence. “Members of the Councils have been working with industry partners, high school counselors, teachers, parents, and students to bolster CTE opportunities, align and grow critical sector partnerships, and collaborate on curriculum improvements and design, and I applaud their efforts.”
The grants, the second round provided by the Indiana General Assembly, are designed to target new learning opportunities at the regional level, with collaborations between local business and education partners. Driven by the Indiana Regional Works Councils, which were unanimously created by the General Assembly in 2013, the grants provide meaningful work-to-learn opportunities in combination with students earning dual credits and industry certifications in key regional employment sectors. The grants require a 3:1 public to private dollar match in funding and/or services.
The Innovative Curriculum grants support key sectors of Indiana’s state and regional economies, including:
-Agriculture
-Advanced manufacturing
-Energy
-Automotive
-Construction
-Precision Machining
-Robotics
-Welding
Pence named the first round of winners last July, selecting 18 projects for more than $3 million in funding. Between two rounds of funding, more than 2,500 students are being served, and the vast majority of students are getting dual credit to post-secondary study and/or industry recognized credentials in demand by area employers. More than 150 Indiana employers have taken up this cause and have formally committed to high school CTE by donating funds, purchasing equipment, committing to mentoring, hosting students for work-based learning experiences, and more.
Steven Braun, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development, added that the support of the business community has been strong in helping to design and support the regional programs.
“The willingness of the local business communities to step to the plate and support these programs demonstrate a mutual high level of interest in our students' success,” said Braun. “Through coordinated efforts such as these, we truly hope to open doors and invigorate minds with new collaborations and more effective ways for students to learn providing true pathways to future career success.”
A total of 79 applications were received for both grant cycles, and 25 overall were selected for funding opportunities. Programs receiving new funding include:
South Newton School Corporation
Offering new curriculum in Agriculture, including:
-Precision Farming: with STEM-focused Project Lead The Way courses
-Agritourism: Organic food and the farm-to-table concept
-Aquaponics – Including science, business, and marketing components
Pulaski County Community Foundation
Offering innovative curriculum in manufacturing for Industrial Repair & Maintenance via RAM-Tech, and integrated/aligned to business needs, state-approved standards, and Amatrol curriculum
Michigan City
-Directly related to the new energy pathway announced last fall in partnership with local utiltiies, and includes Summer Energy Camps for students in grades 1 thru 12, internships with IBEW and new courses for students in their Sophomore-Senior years
Heartland Career Center
-Creates the new Collaborative Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities (CAMO) pathway and combine Conexus’ HIRE technology curriculum with Kokomo’s advanced manufacturing curricula
Noblesville High School
-Offers new “MAC” curriculum which brings together for the first time three separate areas of focus: in Manufacturing, Automotive and Construction. More than 70 local partners have come forward to support the project.
New Castle Community Schools
-Curriculum for Precision Machine Trades 1 & II, each involving 1080 hours of instruction, with a capstone internship in the 2nd year of the program
Vigo County School Corporation
-Creates a groundbreaking new advanced robotics partnership with Motoman North America, building on the New and Emerging Automation Technology (NEAT) including humanoid technology and drone robotics
Scott County School District
-This pilot program brings together Advanced Manufacturing and Welding with work-based learning experiences embedded, and incorporates a new Work Ethic Certification developed by local school superintendents, with the support of more than 60 area employers.
An overview of each of the grants awarded today is attached. The first round of grant winners may be found here: http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=176535&information_id=203205&type=&syndicate=syndicate
Source: The Office of Governor Mike Pence