A new partnership between Ivy Tech Community College and a foundation that supports manufacturing education is providing financial help for students seeking advanced manufacturing degrees.
The Gene Haas Foundation awarded $29,500 to the Ivy Tech Foundation. These funds will provide scholarships and advanced manufacturing training at Ivy Tech’s Columbus and Southeast campuses.
The Haas Ivy Manufacturing scholarships will enable military veterans, recent high school graduates and incumbent, underemployed and dislocated workers to transition into well-paying, high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, Ivy Tech said in a news release.
“As the state’s engine for workforce alignment, Ivy Tech continues to develop a strong, well-educated workforce and increase economic development in southeastern Indiana,” Ivy Tech Interim Chancellor Katie Mote said. “The meaningful support of the Gene Haas Foundation will provide our students with access to valuable skills training that will prepare them for in-demand, well-paying positions and help them succeed in their educational and career goals.”
Advanced manufacturing represents more than 36 percent of southeastern Indiana’s employment base. But area manufacturers anticipate losing between 45 and 55 percent of their skilled technicians over the next five to seven years as workers enter retirement age, Ivy Tech said in the news release.
Ivy Tech has partnered with local communities and area employers to develop initiatives to fill the advanced manufacturing skills gap.
The Gene Haas Foundation was founded in 1991 by Gene Haas, president of Oxnard-California-based Haas Automation, co-owner of NASCAR’s Stewart-Haas Racing and owner of Haas F1 Team on the Formula One circuit. The foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education.
“Local manufacturers need skilled machinists in order to keep manufacturing here at home, which is a personal mission for Gene Haas and the Gene Haas Foundation,” said Toni Neary, director of education for Haas Factory Outlet, a distributor for Haas Automation.
The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than $35 million to charities and education institutions, and has leveraged more than $1.5 million in veterans training grants.
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Students enrolled at Ivy Tech can look for the Haas Foundation scholarships and other scholarships online by visiting my.ivytech.edu, clicking on “Billing and Financial Aid” in the student section and then clicking on “Apply for Scholarships.”
Applications will then be reviewed by the Ivy Tech Foundation.
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