Advanced logistics program continues at CN
Advanced logistics program continues at CN
Posted: Saturday, August 24, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 7:17 am, Sat Aug 24, 2013.
By Bob Braley
bbraley@kpcmedia.com
ALBION — A program for teaching students advanced manufacturing skills was celebrated Friday afternoon at Busche Plant 9 in Albion.
The Conexus Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics program offered at Central Noble High School is in its second year. The program is helping students become better prepared for what is needed in today’s manufacturing world.
Central Noble was unique last year among the eight pilot schools for Conexus, because it is a small school and not a vocational school.
That’s not as true this year, said Brady Truex, the teacher for the Conexus program. “They’ve grown to more than 30 pilot schools in Indiana this year,” he said.
The program, taught through Ivy Tech, is a dual-credit course that enables students to learn about 21st-century manufacturing systems that are not dominated by assembly-line workers and forklift operators, a news release said.
Instead, it is a high-tech industry driven by process design, programming, robots and techology in coordination with the construction of the product.
“Today’s curriculum for manufacturing isn’t just learning to build metal sheet boxes, but also using simulations to learn abotu topics such as hazards on the floor, hydraulics and Six Sigma, which all can be connected to the manufacturing of boxes,” Truex said.
In addition to classroom work, students are exposed to real-world industries through Central Noble’s A+ Sponsor for the program, Busche. Busche owner Nick Busche and the rest of the Busche team have been tremendous, Truex said.
“Not only have they let us tour their facilities and visit with them, they actually let each of our students shadow individual workers for part of the day,” Truex said.
“This is a great initiative for the state, students and businesses of Indiana,” Nick Busche said. “The opportunity to work with Central Noble High School gives us the chance to provide the students of our area the basic skills to enter Indiana’s manufacturing work force at a much higher level due to the experience gained through this program.”
Of last year’s 13 students in Central Noble’s Conexus program, five have earned their Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certificates, Truex said.
That gives them an advantage in the hiring process at area businesses, Nick Busche said.
Truex agreed. “That’s a step in the door,” he said.
“Tha Advanced Manufacturing class at Central Noble High School offers our students the type of targeted training that helps prepare them directly for work force needs in Noble County,” Central Noble Superintendent Chris Daughtry said.
“I am really pleased that we are able to provide an offering that is addressing a need in our local work force and is giving kids a head start on building their qualifications to be successful in the work force and in life,” Daughtry added.
State Rep. David Ober, R-Albion, said he felt the celebration was timely with the announcement Friday of a new program by Gov. Mike Pence.
“It’s very timely that we recognize Conexus, Busche Enterprises and Central Noble for this innovative partnership, as the governor announced today the creation of the Center for Education & Career Innovation, which will be crucial to aligning our education and career and workforce development efforts. We are leading these efforts in northeast Indiana, and the rest of the state is noticing,” Ober said.
