Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the launch of the second cohort of its Machine Tool Technology program, supported by a $35,000 workforce development grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The event highlighted the continued growth of Ivy Tech’s advanced manufacturing training in response to regional workforce needs.
Twelve students in the new cohort are receiving a full year of tuition, thanks to the Duke Energy grant. The cohort includes employees from DANA Lafayette, LiquidSpring, and Kirby Risk, marking the first time the program has been open to participants beyond the initial partner, Caterpillar Lafayette.
This program is a direct response to our local industry’s call for skilled machinists. Thanks to the partnership with Duke Energy and the engagement of our employer partners, we are equipping students with hands-on skills and strengthening the talent pipeline for our region.
– Bryce Eaton, Dean of the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Applied Sciences
“We believe in this program because it opens up job opportunities for Hoosiers who enjoy hands-on work and who might want to delve into the future of modern manufacturing,” said Dagny Zupin, Government and Community Relations Manager for Duke Energy. “We all want Indiana to be a place where businesses seek to set up shop, and where companies can find skilled workers for the long haul. This successful initiative makes an impact on those important goals.”
“LiquidSpring is eager to work with Ivy Tech on the Machine Tool program. Investing in employee development is a win/win scenario; it ensures we have the skilled talent needed to strengthen our company and allows our employees to expand and develop their engineering skill set. We believe this program will help LiquidSpring sustain and support the long-term growth of manufacturing across Greater Lafayette,” said Greg Kiselis, Director of Engineering at LiquidSpring.
“Partnering with Ivy Tech on the Machine Tool program reflects Kirby Risk’s commitment to building a strong, skilled workforce. Together, we’re investing in the future of manufacturing in Greater Lafayette and creating opportunities that benefit both industry and community,” said Jake Gray, Plant Manager at Kirby Risk Precision Machining.
The event featured remarks from Eaton; Brooklyn Burton, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at Ivy Tech; Zupin from Duke Energy; and employer partners including Kiselis and Gray. Attendees also heard from Melissa Davis, HR at DANA Lafayette, and had the opportunity to tour Ivy Tech’s state-of-the-art manufacturing lab.
The Machine Tool program was initially brought back at the Lafayette campus in partnership with Caterpillar Lafayette Engine Center to meet demand created by the plant’s expansion. The success of that pilot led to the development of this public-facing cohort, designed to serve a broader range of employers and individuals seeking to gain in-demand machining skills.
For more information on Ivy Tech’s machine tool or other manufacturing programs, visit ivytech.edu/lafayette.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
