TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Ivy Tech Terre Haute has received a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to develop and launch the PLC Academy, an advanced training program designed to prepare students and workers for high-demand careers in industrial automation and controls.
The PLC Academy builds on Ivy Tech’s existing Level I and Level II programmable logic controller (PLC) training and expands instruction into advanced topics such as systems integration, diagnostics, industrial networking, and process optimization. Designed in direct response to employer needs, the program will use a highly hands-on, project-based learning model delivered in small cohorts of four participants to ensure individualized instruction and real-world skill application.
“This investment reflects Duke Energy’s commitment to strengthening Indiana’s talent pipeline in critical technical fields,” said Rick Burger, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy in West Central Indiana. “By supporting innovative, employer-driven training programs like the PLC Academy, we are helping ensure Hoosier workers are prepared for the advanced manufacturing jobs that power our communities and economy.”
Building on that shared commitment to workforce development, the PLC Academy represents a deeper collaboration between education and industry to address evolving skills gaps in automation and controls.
“This grant allows us to move beyond traditional training and deliver an advanced, immersive learning experience that directly reflects the skills required in an advanced manufacturing environment,” said David Will, Executive Director of Ivy+ Career Link. “The PLC Academy is designed to close the gap between foundational PLC knowledge and the complex integration skills required in today’s manufacturing environments. Duke Energy’s support is instrumental in making that vision a reality.”
Ivy Tech regularly collaborates with regional industry partners to keep curriculum aligned with workforce needs, integrate real-world project design, and develop scalable training models that can be expanded across Indiana. Through efforts like the PLC Academy, the College continues to strengthen workforce readiness in automation and controls while creating clearer pathways to high-wage, in-demand careers.
To learn more about how Ivy+ Career Link is connecting talent with in-demand opportunities across the region, visit ivytech.edu/careerlink.
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.
