HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONS
Conexus Indiana has adopted the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Dream It. Do It. Champion model to increase student awareness of the advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industries. The model focuses on updating student understanding of these industries, dispelling the idea that logistics and manufacturing careers are dark, dirty, and dangerous, and that a four-year degree is the only path to a successful career. Over the past year and a half, Conexus has been building relationships with Central Indiana high schools, identifying and recruiting Champions, and the providing those Champions with the resources they need to help create a pipeline of skilled workers.
Central Indiana
This school year, Conexus is working with 52 Champions at 47 Central Indiana high schools and career centers. (A full listing of participating Central Indiana schools is available at dreamitdoitindiana.com). Champions include technical educators, PLTW teachers, career awareness instructors, guidance counselors, and JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) coaches. These Champions:
- Engage students and fellow educators to build an understanding about AML careers;
- Recruit students to participate in education programs that foster AML skills;
- Disseminate information and marketing resources to increase AML career awareness;
- Make Dream It. Do It. information available to students and parents through career fairs, field trips, mentoring opportunities, and other planned events during the school year; and
- Participate in Conexus' Educator Seminar Series to learn about industry "from the source," and take part in regular conference calls to share best practices and lessons learned.
To date, Champion efforts have resulted in 30,000 AML-related interactions with central Indiana students and their parents, and the implementation of five new Advanced Manufacturing courses at area high schools and career centers.
Conexus Indiana is always interested in expanding its Champion roster, and continues to recruit industry partners willing to host students or provide guest speakers to local schools. To find out how you can get involved, contact Elizabeth Lerch at (317) 532-4769.
Southeast Indiana
Southeast Indiana was the first region in the State to step up to the Dream It. Do It. plate. The area's economic development organization, EcO15, leads the Dream It. Do It. Champion program from its base in Columbus, and continues to set the standard for Indiana's Champion efforts. In June 2009, Dream It. Do It. Southeast Indiana was honored as one of the top 100 innovative programs in the country by Manufacturing Automation Media. It won the Progressive Manufacturing Award in Career Awareness and Advocacy and also won the Training and Education Mastery Pillar Award. Learn more.
Northeast Indiana
Northeast Indiana's Champion program is just getting off the ground. Led by the area's workforce development arm, Partners for Workforce Solutions is currently working to recruit its first class of Champions in and around Allen County. Learn more.
