What they had to say ... about Vincennes University offering classes in Jackson County.
The first course offerings are in industrial maintenance. From the first class graduating in December 2023 to the most recent one in July 2024, 76 certificates of completion have been awarded.
On July 30, five of the seven local employees receiving certificates had completed all four of the industrial maintenance courses — basic electrical, basic mechanical, intermediate electrical and intermediate mechanical.
The first course offerings were made possible through Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative funding the county received in 2021. READI was aimed at collaboration between neighboring counties, cities and towns to boost the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jackson County is part of the South Central Indiana Talent Region that came up with four strategies: Innovation and entrepreneurship, education and workforce development, housing and talent attraction and quality of place.
Each dollar received from the $30 million award had to have a $3 match from the private sector and a $1 match from the public sector.
While talking to large employers as part of the education and workforce development part, industrial maintenance was noted as a workforce skill that is a common need.
Vincennes became part of the conversation and later rolled out the program in the fall of 2023. That came to fruition thanks to READI funding, public dollars from the certified tech park and private dollars from employers Valeo, Aisin and Cummins.
Seymour Mayor Matt Nicholson said when he went to college, he had to drive back and forth from Seymour to Columbus, so having these classes offered locally is a benefit.
"It just seemed like it all melted together in a better way, so I'm excited to see industrial maintenance here at the city of Seymour, here at the learning center," he said.
Now, plans are underway for READI 2 dollars. Nicholson said Vincennes already has more classes planned at the learning center.