VINCENNES, Ind. - Amazon and Vincennes University are partners in a bold program that is a game-changer.

The Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship (MRA) program offers training to apprentices.

VU is the first university to collaborate with Amazon to launch this distinctive educational partnership.

The MRA program is a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program that provides training and education to up-skill selected applicants through a combination of immersive classroom learning, hands-on instruction, and on-the-job learning.

According to VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, “We are very pleased and proud to have been selected as Amazon’s partner in this exciting program. As one of the world’s leading innovative organizations, Amazon’s approach to addressing this critical talent gap was to design an approach that is adaptable and scalable quickly. This partnership represents one more way that VU has engaged with employers to develop brand-new, industry-aligned workforce development solutions for technical roles that are vital to our future economic growth and success."

Apprentices live and learn on VU’s Vincennes Campus. They study and train at the Indiana Center for Applied Technology (ICAT).

“The MRA program exposes a wider range of people to high-quality, industry-driven education and aims to prepare apprentices skilled in automation and robotics,” VU Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Services David Tucker said.

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that combines various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and computer. The program is designed to develop competencies in mechanical systems, maintenance and troubleshooting, electrical systems, fluid power, electronics and controls, and other areas. Apprentices also learn essential soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

 “For many years, Vincennes University has had a reputation for providing high quality, custom technical training to our business & industry partners. We pride ourselves on our ability to quickly adjust our programs, curriculum, hands-on labs, and lectures to meet the changing needs of our customers and their employees. We are humbled that Amazon has chosen Vincennes University to kick off this massive, national training program,” VU ABB Robotics Lab and Industrial Maintenance Training Director Jerry Ruble said.

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