NE Dubois/SW Dubois receive Career and Technical Education funding
Grants expand access to Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Technology CTE programs
Northeast Dubois and Southwest Dubois School Corporations were among the 11 districts/high schools awarded Education Readiness Grants through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation received $115,000
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation plans to equip students with cutting-edge tools and practical experience through the integration of Amatrol brand learning systems that include: precision measurement tools, AC/DC Electrical Learning Systems, and basic Pneumatic and Hydraulic Stations. This will offer students the opportunity to work with industry-standard equipment. The hands-on experiences, combined with the skills developed through industry-relevant training, will give students a competitive advantage and make the manufacturing CTE program more attractive to prospective students. As students learn to operate and maintain advanced systems used in Smart Manufacturing and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) environments, they will gain real-world skills that make them workforce-ready. This modernized approach will entice students who might otherwise be interested in traditional, non-technical pathways.
NE Dubois Jr/Sr. HS received $40,000
The project at Northeast Dubois directly involves acquiring a state-of-the-art dual-tool CNC plasma cutting table to expand the manufacturing capabilities of our Jeep Enterprises program at Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School. This advanced equipment will allow students in engineering, agriculture, construction, and other CTE courses to collaborate on high-level manufacturing projects, including producing precision components for our industry partner, Jasper Engines. The addition of a plasma cutting table will significantly elevate the scope and scale of the work done within Jeep Enterprises currently. This new opportunity will allow students to engage in higher-level production, offering real-world manufacturing experience and the potential to generate substantial revenue through school-based enterprise projects. This initiative directly aligns with Smart Manufacturing principles by incorporating cutting-edge software and technology into the school’s manufacturing curriculum. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing tools, fostering skills in automation, precision engineering, and efficient production processes-key competencies for success in the modern workforce.
This grant provides funding to implement CTE programs in high-demand career fields. It is administered through the Commission’s CTE team and aims to strengthen partnerships between industry and local schools while increasing student access to opportunities in these career fields.
The Commission awarded $685,000 in advanced manufacturing and $415,000 in digital technology awards for a total of $1.1 million. Grant recipients will either expand or start an eligible program that has a direct connection with local employers in advanced manufacturing or digital technology industries. This includes providing students with work-based learning experience that complements the CTE pathways coursework.
The recipients of the 2025 Education Readiness Grants are listed below:
Advanced Manufacturing
- MSD of Steuben County: $125,000
- SW Dubois County School Corp: $115,000
- Anderson Community/District 26: $45,000
- NE Dubois Jr/Sr. HS: $40,000
- Adams Central HS: $115,000
- Eastbrook Community School Corp: $120,000
- New Castle HS: $125,000
Digital Technology
- Mt. Vernon Community School Corp: $125,000
- Indianapolis Public Schools: $120,000
- Hamilton Southeastern Schools: $70,000
- Franklin Central Community School Corp: $100,000
This is the fourth year of the Education Readiness Grant program. The grant was initially designed in partnership with Conexus Indiana as a student-focused component to the employer-targeted Manufacturing Readiness Grants program.
TechPoint joined as a partner in year two and the program expanded to also include the technology sector. Recent research of past grant recipients from Conexus indicates the grant increases enrollments and certifications in these high-demand programs, supports skill development, and improves partner collaboration.
Grant applications were reviewed by advisory committees organized by TechPoint and Conexus, which make funding recommendations for the Commission’s consideration. The committees are comprised of postsecondary, industry, and state leadership partners who represent various industry sectors and technology competencies. Grant funding is provided through Indiana’s annual federal allocation from the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act.
