The Adams Wells Manufacturing Alliance (AWMA) is proud to present the first “signing day”. Every spring we see high school athletes signing letters of intent to play for a college as their parents and coaches glow with pride. This signing day is a little different and we will be celebrating students that are choosing to enter the workforce or post-secondary education training landing a job after school. This event is scheduled on May 30th at 6pm. The event will start off by recognizing the graduates and providing light food and refreshments in their honor.  The signing will begin at 7pm.

These students being recognized have been working for employers while they were in high school through an ICE program, CTE program, or internship. The signing is their commitment to work for a particular business after high school. This signing is a way of recognizing their hard work and the value they see thru career preparation and training.
​
AWMA strongly believes in the importance of skilled trades including all skillsets offered in high schools and on the job training. These skills, once perfected will give them a solid base for getting hired after graduating.  AWMA vision statement is, “The most effective way to connect manufacturers with educators and to launch manufacturing careers for students and adults in the area”. The battle in trying to address the skills gap in our communities has been difficult.  The majority of students believe that a 4-year college degree is their only option to becoming successful.  AWMA would like to showcase the importance of skilled trades to show students the many different pathways to success, right here in our community.   The goal is to prove that some students aren’t made for college and that is okay. Students can enter the workforce and have benefits, insurance, a steady paycheck and potential for secondary education classes to up their skill while working and having it paid for by their employer.  

The AWMA hosted a Convocation/lunchtime Display February 22nd at Bellmont High School.  A total of 685 students attended the two 30-minute convocations, which featured representatives from REV, Gold Shield, Thunderbird, Hoosier Pattern, and the Adams County EDC.  The topic of the convocations was “Preparing for a Job Interview, How to Land the Right Job”.

A lunchtime display followed with all four manufacturers participating.  A total of 31 students visited all four displays!  Dan Le, a freshman student, won the $100 Amazon Gift Card that was sponsored by AWMA.
​
High School convocations are schedules at South Adams, Norwell, and Southern Wells at this time.  We hope to give members a chance to participate in this event, which puts our members directly in front of students.

The Tour was part of an ongoing effort to establish a Workforce Center in Decatur with Vincennes as an anchor tenant
 
Decatur, IN – In the early hours on Monday February 11th, a charter bus filled with prominent community leaders rolled out of town on its 240 mile trek to Vincennes University in Southern Indiana.  Amongst those traveling with the group were city and county officials, influential business people, community based non-profit groups, and officials from multiple school districts.  The trip was organized by a few business leaders and community representatives that have been discussing turning a local building into a Career Training center.
 
 “We have been in dialogue with Vincennes University for the last few months about offering workforce development and educational services from within Adams County to serve as a regional resource,” explained James Teeple, Workforce Development Director for Adams County Economic Development.  “A consortium of regional leaders was invited to journey with us to Vincennes to confer with the university’s president, Chuck Johnson and his administrative staff.”
 
“The university provided a very insightful tour of both the Vincennes Campus as well as their Gene Haas Technical Education Center in Lebanon,” Teeple continued. “They have reiterated their commitment to support the implementation of an educational service hub or career center in Decatur. The intent of the trip was to demonstrate potentiality of such services and resulting economic impact to the region. From that perspective it was a very worthwhile outing.”
 
Local businesses are very supportive of the endeavor as it is important for their current needs as well as the longevity of their companies.  Decatur business owner Keith Gerber shared his company’s struggle and why this is important to businesses.  “Workforce Development for Hoosier Pattern is cultivating from within our Adams/Wells High Schools. This bus tour gave us a vision of what is within our grasp to create a community career center. It would allow us to skill up our present workforce, as well as develop an awareness and the skills needed for high school students for well-paying “no debt” careers. We currently struggle to find qualified employees amongst current potential applicants. A career center along with better marketing ideas to attract these students to take a look at what we have to offer is crucial for longevity for my business.”
Overall the event was very successful.  As the bus pulled back into town late that evening, Adams Wells Manufacturing Alliance’s Director, Joe Elkins, summed it up best, “I was very impressed by the "Hands On" approach taken by Vincennes University.  The skills taught there can result in high-paying jobs that are sorely needed by Adams and Wells County manufacturers.”

​​write up provided by Trevor Hobbs