Batesville Steps up For Manufacturing Education

An education program in southeast Indiana is helping train the next generation of manufacturing workers. The Batesville School Corp., Ivy Tech Community College and four businesses have taken part in the initiative allowing high school students to obtain hands-on experience with modern manufacturing technology. The students are also working for college credit. Batesville Tool & Die Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jody Fledderman and Batesville Community School Corp. Superintendent Jim Roberts discussed the program this weekend on Inside INdiana Business Television. Indianapolis-based Project Lead The Way also has a role in the effort.

During freshman or sophomore years, students can take elective classes featuring manufacturing and design curriculum designed by PLTW.

Fledderman says over the past 10 or 15 years, people have left the manufacturing sector in the state, which is now on the rebound.

That has industries with a critical need to fill an employment void and he believes programs like the Batesville initiative can help solve the problem.

Batesville Tool and Die Inc. produces metal stampings for the auto industry.

Roberts says the program is growing. Hill-Rom Inc (NYSE: HRC) is joining the effort and up to 25 students are expected to be enrolled next school year.

He says most students in the program could end up only a semester short of an associate's degree once they leave high school.

Source: Inside INdiana Business