INDIANAPOLIS (December 3, 2019) The Indiana Manufacturers Association (IMA) and Conexus Indiana today announced they will collaborate on talent development initiatives that will train current and emerging workers across Indiana for careers in advanced manufacturing.
IMA’s Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (INFAME) program and Conexus Indiana’s Catapult Indiana program both offer tangible skills and career development opportunities to Hoosiers looking to enter the manufacturing industry. This partnership will coordinate efforts to expand the programs and offer them to communities across the state.
INFAME is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement dual-track, apprenticeship-style training to create a pipeline of highly skilled workers through the Advanced Manufacturing Technician program. Catapult Indiana is a quick, industry-led training program that equips unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers with skills to join the in-demand advanced manufacturing field.
“INFAME is a global-best college training program for high school graduates and incumbent workers, while Catapult Indiana provides unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers easier access to jobs in manufacturing,” said Andrew Berger, executive director of INFAME and senior vice president of Governmental Affairs for the IMA. “The IMA is confident that by joining forces with Conexus Indiana these two programs can both be even more effective.”
“By coordinating outreach and joining forces on workforce development for Indiana’s critically important and dominant manufacturing industry, we are excited to partner with IMA to bring Catapult Indiana and INFAME to more Hoosiers,” said Brad Rhorer, chief talent programs officer for Conexus Indiana.
INFAME has three current chapters: Wabash Valley INFAME, Northeast Indiana INFAME, Central Indiana INFAME, and a soon to be added chapter in Anderson. INFAME will continue to expand in 2020, and is part of the FAME USA network, with chapters across the Midwest and South.
The Catapult Indiana program is currently available in Lafayette, Anderson, and Greensburg, Ind.. It is also being offered by the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Branchville location. The program plans to expand to five locations in 2020.
About the Indiana Manufacturers Association
Formed in 1901, the Indiana Manufacturers Association is the second oldest manufacturers association in the country and the only trade association in Indiana that exclusively focuses on manufacturing. Manufacturing is the driving force of Indiana’s economy, employing more people and contributing more to Indiana’s gross domestic product than any other industry. The Indiana Manufacturers Association, representing more than 1,100 companies, is dedicated to advocating for a business climate that creates, protects, and promotes quality manufacturing jobs in Indiana. The staff of the Indiana Manufacturers Association are recognized experts in areas including tax, environment, labor relations, human resources, energy, workforce development, and healthcare. For more information, visit www.imaweb.com.
About Conexus Indiana
For more than a decade, Conexus Indiana, one of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) non-profit initiatives, has been positioning the Hoosier State as the best place for advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to invest, employ and succeed. By collaborating with industry, academic and public-sector partners on a shared vision for an innovative, skilled workforce and stronger business climate, Conexus Indiana has helped to create opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics companies, prepare Hoosiers to succeed in the state’s largest industry sectors and maintain Indiana’s competitive advantage. For more information, go to www.ConexusIndiana.com.
