Pre-Manufacturing Academy Opens Career Paths at Easterseals Northeast Indiana

Class sizes at the Pre-Manufacturing Academy at Easterseals Northeast Indiana may be small, but the goal is not. These classes could become a path to jobs in manufacturing for people with disabilities.

Ten people are in the first round of the program, which began in April.

What Is the Pre-Manufacturing Academy?

The Pre-Manufacturing Academy includes a lot to learn about safety, electricity, and more, through a program developed by the Impact Institute, a vocational education cooperative based in Kendallville. People who master the material could graduate to the full Manufacturing Academy.

“We want folks to see there are alternatives for careers,” said Crystal Church-Stavitzke, executive director of Easterseals Northeast Indiana.

She said the Pre-Manufacturing Academy can become “a steppingstone for people who need more hands-on instruction.”

Preparing Students for Real-World Manufacturing Jobs

For prospective employers, it’s much more than classroom learning. The Pre-Manufacturing and Manufacturing Academies can help screen students not just for skills, but also for general employee traits like:

Core Workforce Traits Developed in the Academy

• Punctuality

• Persistence

• Ability to follow instructions

Cultivating manufacturing skills is especially important in Steuben County, where more than a quarter of all jobs are in manufacturing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. While employment has rebounded since the pandemic shutdown, the demand for skilled workers remains high. As of March, the unemployment rate in Steuben County was just 3.7%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Adding Equipment to Build Hands-On Learning

Although the course began with lectures, assessments, and study materials, hands-on training is being added. Three key equipment sets have been ordered for students to gain real manufacturing experience:

1. Precision Measurement Tools

Students will learn how to make the kind of accurate measurements required in manufacturing using tools like micrometers, dial calipers, and dial indicators.

2. Electric Relay Board

This board will allow students to learn to set up and operate controls for electrical equipment, simulating real production scenarios.

3. Manufacturing “Skill Boss”

This tabletop training unit helps students demonstrate the skills needed to operate machines safely and efficiently. It includes simulations for safety, maintenance, and production tasks.

A Partnership with Purpose

The Pre-Manufacturing Academy is a partnership between Easterseals Northeast Indiana and the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation. The goal is to meet employer needs while opening doors for people with disabilities who are ready to work.

“We have a lot of able, willing people who just want to work,” Church-Stavitzke said.