Congressman Visclosky announced that Purdue University Calumet was awarded a $2,741,491 grant through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Labor.
The grant will provide training to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) eligible workers, veterans, and other qualified persons seeking opportunities in Northwest Indiana’s regional manufacturing industry. It is expected that the project will impact at least 300 individuals by allowing for the opportunity to attain one or more industry certifications. Individuals receiving this training will be eligible to join the workforce as mecatronics technicians and industrial machinery mechanics.
“Putting our citizens to work is my foremost priority. It is incumbent upon us to invest in a well-trained workforce to protect the jobs of today and create the jobs of tomorrow. I am pleased to know that this grant will address the needs of area industry and build upon the existing successes of our region’s advanced manufacturing sector,” Congressman Visclosky said.
The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing and administering the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.
Chancellor Tom Keon, Purdue University Calumet, explained that the College of Technology has been working on workforce development in Northwest Indiana for several years. “It is important to note that our manufacturing partners need an educated workforce with proper training at many different levels. The College of Technology at Purdue University Calumet is dedicated to providing qualified graduates and to training the NWI workforce in areas of sophistication that are needed in our ever evolving manufacturing technologies,” Chancellor Keon said.