Apply Now!Manufacturing is the number one employer in Jay and Blackford Counties, making up 50% of total private employment in Jay County and 36% of total private employment in Blackford County.  As goes manufacturing, so goes the local economic future in our region.  We have identifies three areas of demand for talent:  Industrial Maintenance, Automation/Robotics, and Soft Skills.

The goal of the Jay-Blackford Manufacturing Alliance is to improve the system ensuring we are teaching the right skills, at the right time, in the right way.  This will lead to direct employment in local manufacturing.

We are committed to achieve routine direct employment and accelerate skills-based career progression through our combined efforts.

Our Training

We provide employer-driven workforce training through the SkillsTrac curriculum, designed for incumbent workers interested in the maintenance field.  The competency based program is housed at the John Jay Center for Learning in Portland Indiana and is employer funded. The approach assesses prior experience and provides the following:

• Employer validated and tailored instruction for incumbent workers
• Adult workforce training that meets the needs of local advanced manufacturing employees for entry level and skilled positions
• Fundamental skills development that leads to employment, reemployment or enhanced employment for adults and out-of-school students as well as, career pathways, academic and career counseling services

To learn more about SkillsTrac and its curriculum mapping, click here.