Lippert Components will be holding a press event to celebrate state and national recognition for Elkhart County’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Partnership (AMSP) at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 28.
The AMSP of Elkhart County was formed one year ago when Elkhart area manufacturers came together with local education leaders to form a partnership. Industry representatives across multiple companies shared their common needs, and K-12, higher education, and adult education providers listened carefully. These industry and education leaders then worked together closely to create a long-term plan.
The effort was supported by the Horizon Education Alliance (HEA), an Elkhart County nonprofit organization focused on community collaboration that leads to educational attainment and economic vitality for our region.
These plans have attracted state and national attention, and investment dollars, too, ranging from Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD), to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and even the private national foundation Lumina. “Skill UP Indiana!” is DWD’s investment into “innovation networks” around the state, with more than $9.5 million being awarded to 11 sites. The largest award in the state has been given to the South Bend/Elkhart region.
DOL money is being leveraged through a partnership with Labor Institute for Training and their Growing Opportunities in America for Latinos initiative. Then, just last month, the Lumina Foundation designated Elkhart County as an official “Talent Hub” for its efforts, one of only 24 in the entire country. As a designated Talent Hub, Elkhart County is set to receive $275,000 in grant funding over 31 months.
Lippert Components has been a key partner for the AMSP. Other industry partners have included Benteler Automotive, GDC, Goshen Stamping, Hoosier Crane, Kem Krest, KIB Electronics, NIBCO, and Robert Weed Corp. Key education partners have included Goshen College, Ivy Tech, and all local K-12 school districts in Elkhart County. Additional partners include local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and workforce development agencies.
LCI is the first to pilot one of the new training programs. The Industrial Manufacturing Technician DOL apprenticeship program is underway at LCI’s Plants 45 and 228W, where about 60 LCI team members are participating. The pilot has enabled the implementation of a bilingual version, the first of its kind in the U.S.
“We’re very excited to be a part of this effort and we’re looking forward to the great benefits it will provide to the (Elkhart) community’s wellness and prosperity,” said Scott Mereness, president of LCI. “Through education, empowerment, leadership and technical training, the grant funding will help move our industry into the next era.”
“It’s been gratifying to see our county and our region work together in these new ways,” said Brian Wiebe, executive director of HEA. “The plans that have been developed will help individuals increase their skills and will help companies have the talent they need to continue to succeed.”
The event will be held at LCI’s Marketing & Showroom Facility (Plant 66) located at 3407 Cooper Drive, Elkhart, Ind.