The Columbus, Ohio-based powertrain maker Cummins Inc. has opened its first Technical Education for Communities location in Indiana.
The global program is located at IPS Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, and targets technical skills gaps through local vocational educational training. The aim of the TEC expansion is to improve pathways for youth of color into prosperous careers in the identified cities—Indianapolis is the first.
The new TEC program is one of only five in the U.S. and two-dozen worldwide.
“We were seeing huge skills gaps in our community,” said Mary Chandler, the Vice President of Community Relations and Corporate Responsibility for Cummins.
She continued: “At the same time, employers had open positions for good paying jobs that required technical skill sets. So the impetus for Commons Tech was to fill that skills gap, and especially provide opportunity for less advantaged young people.”
The Indianapolis program will focus on providing training for future diesel engine service technicians.
Cummins says the international program disadvantaged youth around the world secure good jobs through school-based, industry-supported skills training.
Cummins is partnering locally with Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission and IndyGo, Indy’s public transit operator.
More information on Cummins may be found at www.cummins.com.