LAFAYETTE – A program that provides scholarship-funded training for area manufacturing jobs is now seeking applicants for upcoming classes.

Called “Advancing Manufacturing: We Have Jobs Here, We Have Training Here,” the program’s eight-week training sessions prepare applicants to earn the Certified Production Technician designation, leading to job interviews and possible direct hire by area manufacturers.

Taught at Ivy Tech Corporate College in Lafayette, the classes are open to residents of Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties. All applicants must pass a drug screen test.

The study program includes 140 hours of classroom and field study in four modules—safety, quality practices and measurement, manufacturing processes and production, and maintenance awareness, each with a certification exam.

For more information and to sign up for the training, go the website, www.advancingmanufacturing.com.

Those who are already qualified may use the site to apply for listed jobs, which are continually updated. A few of the participating employers include Nanshan America, Oscar Winski, voestalpine Rotec, Wabash National, Donaldson and oerlikon Fairfield , among others. 

Advancing Manufacturing is a partnership of area economic development, employment, education, government and manufacturing groups. Besides regional manufacturers and Ivy Tech Corporate College, partners include Greater Lafayette Commerce, Region 4 Workforce Board, WorkOne West Central Indiana, Midwest Indiana Economic Development Partnership, the City of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County Commissioners and others.