LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana (February 28, 2007) - Southeast Indiana will receive a $1.5 million infusion to train workers in the region's growing advanced manufacturing sector, Governor Mitch Daniels announced today.

The Department of Workforce Development's (DWD) Strategic Skills Initiative has awarded the 'Jump Start' grant to the Region 9 Workforce Board, which will partner with Ivy Tech Community College campuses throughout the region to offer more training opportunities in several manufacturing areas.

"With Honda, Cummins, Jeffboat, and so many other new jobs on their way to Southeast Indiana, we have to get fully prepared," Daniels told officials gathered at the announcement at Ivy Tech's Lawrenceburg campus. "The business writers are predicting more jobs than skilled workers in this part of the state. That's a great problem to work on, and what this grant is all about."

The governor again praised Lawrenceburg officials for their role in helping the state attract the new Honda plant.

More than 500 people will receive the advanced manufacturing training, said Andrew J. Penca, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

"This grant will help develop a pool of employees trained in manufacturing core competencies and in 'niche' specialties. More importantly, it will help local manufacturers fill the hundreds, if not thousands of jobs that we project in the region," Penca said.

"We also recognize that existing companies in the region may see some employee turnover as these new facilities become operational," said Ron Timms, chairman of the Region 9 Workforce Board. "The expansion of training opportunities in the region will also help firms deal with these workforce issues."

The Southeast Indiana region, through Ivy Tech and other partners, will increase the number of classes for training in computer controlled machine operators, production workers, industrial maintenance, welders and mechanics.

Training will be offered on Ivy Tech campuses and other locations, including Lawrenceburg, Columbus, Richmond, Batesville, Connersville, Greensburg and Seymour.

The training grant also builds on the region's Dream It, Do It campaign, which is designed to increase awareness of manufacturing careers, increase enrollments in education, and increase the quantity and quality of manufacturing talent. Last year, Ivy Tech committed $200,000 and DWD $50,000 to this initiative. Dream It, Do It is a national effort sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers.

In partnership with the Indiana Manufacturer's Association, the state recently announced a $2 million 'Tomorrow's Manufacturing Workforce' grant program to boost awareness and increase training options for the advanced manufacturing field, which is growing in the southeastern Indiana area with announcements last year about Honda's North American facility in Greensburg, the Cummins' Columbus Engine Plant, and others.

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