VU is addressing critical workforce needs through a multitude of partnerships and programs.

“Where America can compete in a world marketplace is in the high-tech type industries, and that’s why it is critically important that we get people properly trained for those jobs,” Bucshon said. “The United States can compete internationally if we train our citizens to have employment in these high-tech jobs that require skill.

“Vincennes University is a local, regional, and national leader in helping people obtain the skills that they need to compete in today’s competitive workforce environment. Not only in Indiana, but around the country. That has been recognized today by the cooperation of the private sector and Vincennes University.”

Bucshon, who represents Indiana’s 8th District, got an up-close-and-personal glimpse of VU’s business and industry partnerships during a visit to Vincennes on Oct. 16. He visited VU’s Agricultural Center and the Indiana Center for Applied Technology.

The new stunning 45,000-square-foot facility Agricultural Center is home to the John Deere TECH program where students, who are sponsored by dealerships in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, learn the latest technology in all areas of the company’s equipment. VU is one of only 16 schools in the country with an exclusive John Deere partnership. 

Bucshon was introduced to the Cummins Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) adjacently located. Apprentices from a 12-state region are employed by the Columbus-based engine maker and sent to VU to learn how to build and maintain Cummins diesel engines. 

VU also partners with a global powerhouse in a pair of premier training and apprenticeship programs. The University is providing quality graduates to help the household name fill in-demand workforce needs.

“My dad was a coal miner. He graduated from high school and got a job in a coal mine. Back in the day you could get a job in a factory. Today the jobs that are out there require technical training and skills. That is where VU, in combination with the private sector, is providing for the students both locally, regionally, and nationally,” Bucshon said.

According to leading experts at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and Workforce, 70 percent of jobs by 2027 will require education beyond high school.  

“We are grateful for the opportunity to help people acquire the training, education, and skills they need to get high-paying jobs in in-demand fields,” VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said. “Collaboration between higher education and employers is instrumental in driving Indiana and the nation forward.” 

As the U.S. economy attempts to recover during the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals are investing in their future through upskilling or reskilling. 

“A lot of employment people had prior to Covid is not coming back,” Bucshon said. “They are going to be needing new skills to get back into the workforce. That’s why these types of programs, creating the skill necessary to get back in the workforce, are going to be really important. If people have skills, they are going to be marketable.”

By collaborating with many partners, VU is an impressive model for giving workers the skills they need to succeed in their careers, growing the economy, and developing talent. 

“Over the years, I have been to Vincennes University many times and I’ve seen this type of program advance over the last eight to 10 years,” Bucshon said.

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