As part of the partnership, apprentices will pursue an industrial maintenance repair technician certificate with Ivy Tech Evansville in a structured and progressive learning environment while employed by Aurora Material Solutions. The partnership announced today is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and is made possible by a $4.7 million grant through the agency’s Apprenticeship Building America program.

Headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio with a technical and production facility in Evansville, Aurora Materials Solutions manufactures high-quality advanced polymers, custom thermoplastics and compounds for a variety of applications in the automotive, building and construction, industrial, consumer goods, medical, electrical, transportation and cable industries. As part of the Ivy Tech partnership, over the course of four years, apprentices will develop the skills required for two or more maintenance and craft occupations to support machines, mechanical equipment and facilities upkeep.

Ivy Tech customized Aurora Material Solutions’ training program in partnership with Ivy+ Career Link, the College’s transformative approach to career and workforce development that partners with employers to design training solutions that meet their specific talent needs – how, when and where they need it. The program includes 30 credit hours of coursework on topics such as industrial electricity, fluid power, welding, workplace safety, motor controls and machine maintenance and installation.

"Ivy Tech applauds Aurora Material Solutions for providing their industrial maintenance employees with the opportunity to access high-quality skills training that will help advance their career in advanced manufacturing,” said Scott Derr, lead project navigator for the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America grant, Ivy Tech. “We are proud to expand the number of registered apprenticeships throughout the state of Indiana through the Apprenticeships Building America program. This partnership is the first this grant has supported in southwest Indiana, but certainly not the last.”

"Investing in Ivy Tech apprenticeship programs is not just about shaping the future workforce; it's about empowering students to turn their passions into professions, fostering innovation and driving economic growth," said David Bacon, plant manager, Aurora Materials Solutions.