IMA, Conexus partner on workforce development initiatives

The Indiana Manufacturers Association and Conexus Indiana are collaborating on talent development initiatives. The organizations say the effort will train both new and current workers across the state for careers in advanced manufacturing.

IMA’s Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education program and Conexus Indiana’s Catapult Indiana program each offer unique opportunities to Hoosiers looking to enter the manufacturing industry. The partners say they will work to expand the programs and utilize their joint resources to ultimately impact the industry and provide it with more skilled workers.

The IMA says INFAME is a partnership of regional manufacturers that implements dual-track, apprenticeship-style training by bringing workers through the Advanced Manufacturing Technician program. Conexus says Catapult Indiana equips unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers with the skills needed for in-demand advanced manufacturing jobs.

The partners say collaboration will work to make the programs more accessible.

“INFAME is a global-best college training program for high school graduates and incumbent workers, while Catapult Indiana provides unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers easier access to jobs in manufacturing,” said Andrew Berger, executive director of INFAME and senior vice president of Governmental Affairs for the IMA. “The IMA is confident that by joining forces with Conexus Indiana these two programs can both be even more effective.”

INFAME currently has three chapters in southern Indiana, northeast Indiana and central Indiana, with a fourth chapter planned for Anderson. The IMA says INFAME will continue to expand in 2020.

The Catapult Indiana program is available in Lafayette and Anderson and is also offered by the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Branchville location. Conexus says the program plans to expand to additional locations in 2020.