Industry-driven
A Toyota workforce study revealed: Within 10 years, at least 200 employees in their Indiana manufacturing plant would retire.
Action: Partner with university to launch the Toyota Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program
Pays well
Student earnings: $17 an hour first year; $19 an hour second year
“It’s not a job, it’s a career.” —Art Haase, dean of Vincenne’s College of Technology
Earnings of graduates hired full-time: $70,000+
Serious training
Recruited by Toyota each year: 24 students
Class schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Work schedule: Mondays and Fridays, 16-20 hours per week
Grade expectations: Any student earning a D or an F in a course is dropped from the program
Specific, yet broadly-based, content
Degree earned: Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Robotics
Course examples: Introduction to Robotics and Automation, Motors and Motor Control, Programmable Logic Controllers
General education courses: Still required
Skills and credentials gained: transferable, even if Toyota doesn’t hire them
