Lafayette, Terre Haute to share in GE Aerospace workforce development grants
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GE Aerospace and the GE Aerospace Foundation on Monday announced $2.3 million in grants designed to grow the skilled manufacturing workforce across the United States.
The grants are designed to help the company’s partners, including in Lafayette and Terre Haute, reduce barriers to training opportunities for workers to improve their skills.
GE Aerospace cites a recently released survey of 1,000 works across all manufacturing industries in the U.S., which found that skills development is needed for newer workers.
Nearly one-third of respondents cited a lack of training opportunities, while 27% mentioned personal time constraints, and another 27% pointed to financial constraints, the company said. Additionally, 66% of workers said they have received skills training in the last five years, but 80% said they need new skills to advance.
“Providing training opportunities and reducing barriers for workers to gain skills are key to the future of the aerospace industry,” GE Aerospace Chief Human Resource Officer Christian Meisner said in a news release. “But we cannot do this urgent work alone. It will take partners like the ones GE Aerospace and the GE Foundation are awarding, and we look forward to expanding on this work to support workers and the broader industry at this critical time.”
The Greater Lafayette Academy is receiving $150,000 to double its Airframe and Powerplant program capacity to 30 students by hiring a full-time licensed instructor. The funding will also cover new training equipment, and tool kits for 25 students.
Ivy Tech Community College is receiving $100,000 to support training in advanced manufacturing jobs and full scholarships for six students at its Terre Haute campus.
GE Aerospace employs nearly 700 people in Indiana, primarily at its Lafayette and Terre Haute manufacturing plants. In March, the company said it would invest $11 million in the Indiana plants, which was followed three months later by an announcement that the Terre Haute plant would share in another $65 million investment.
You can connect to the full list of grant recipients by clicking here.