Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
FORT WAYNE – Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne & Kosciusko County has been awarded a $60,000 grant through the EmployED initiative led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and General Motors.
The grant will help fund two free robotic welding classes for current students and community members, according to a news release from Ivy Tech.
The eight-week courses are designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. The spring session runs March 16 through May 10, and the summer session runs June 8 through Aug. 2. A total of eight seats are available for each class.
Indiana leads the nation in manufacturing concentration, with approximately 9,000 manufacturing operations statewide and 25% of the state’s economic output tied to manufacturing. In northeast Indiana alone, 464 robotic welder jobs were reported in 2024 — nearly five times the national average for similarly sized regions, the release states. Local employers, including the GM Fort Wayne Assembly Plant, continue to drive demand for highly skilled technicians.
“This grant allows us to remove financial barriers and directly respond to workforce needs in our region,” said Dr. Kim Barnett-Johnson, chancellor of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Kosciusko County. “Robotic welding is a critical skillset in modern manufacturing, and this training creates immediate pathways to quality careers.”
The robotic welding courses build on Ivy Tech’s strong partnerships with industry and its ongoing commitment to workforce alignment. The college recently implemented the Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) model through a National Science Foundation-funded initiative, ensuring curriculum remains aligned with evolving employer needs.
Students in the program will gain hands-on experience in robotic welding technologies, preparing them to enter a workforce where demand continues to outpace supply. Upon completion, participants will be positioned for employment in advanced manufacturing roles throughout northeast Indiana.
Community members interested in enrolling should contact Robert Parker at rparker27@ivytech.edu. Space is limited.
