WATERLOO, Ind. – DeKalb Central administration, staff, community members and governmental representatives were on hand Friday to officially launch the new DeKalb Advanced Manufacturing program at DeKalb Central schools.
The program, which will be led by Jon Clingan, director/instructor, will be open to students beginning in the fall of 2023. The Advanced Manufacturing program will be open to juniors and seniors providing 15 dual credit hours from Ivy Tech Community College upon completion.
The district has partnered with five local manufacturing businesses – Auburn Manufacturing, Charleston Metal Products, Metal Technologies, Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing and Rieke Corporation to make the program possible. Purdue University, IN-Mac and Ivy Tech Community College are also part of the program.
Students participating in the program will gain technical hands-on experiences, allowing them to explore advanced manufacturing as a potential future career. Students will have the ability to directly enter the workforce with the necessary skills to be successful.
Along with earning dual college credits students will also be able to earn multiple industry-recognized certifications such as OSHA-10, MSSC and SACA.