Indiana Tech Receives $1.5M for STEM Training
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The federal Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1.5 million grant to Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne to support workforce training efforts. The funding, which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, will allow the school to purchase technical equipment that will support 11 engineering- and manufacturing-related certification programs.
The investment will be matched with nearly $640,000 in local funds and is expected to create 700 jobs and retain 100 jobs.
“Indiana’s high-wage, high-demand careers will increasingly rely upon technology and engineering programs aligned with employer needs,” said Governor Eric Holcomb. “Customized to the skills gaps of Northeast Indiana, this significant EDA investment will empower thousands of Indiana Tech students to master industry-recognized certifications for years to come. As Greater Fort Wayne accelerates its knowledge economy, the entire state will reap the resulting opportunities and benefits.”
The investment will allow Indiana Tech to expand, improve and add certificate training programs to meet the job needs of employers in northeast Indiana. The training programs will support positions including battery management engineers, drone pilots, and printed circuit board design engineers.
“The Economic Development Administration provides direct support to communities across the country that were hit hard by the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo. “This EDA investment in Indiana Tech will train thousands of students and help the region grapple with its dual challenges of high unemployment, especially among underserved populations, and the shortage of skilled workers.”
The project is funded under the EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program.