With a manufacturing and construction skill shortage hitting Indiana, this is a great opportunity for students to gain career insight and experiences while earning a wage and serving their community, said Jarred Howard, Pakota Valley CTE director.

“Both the Construction Trades and Automation and Robotics SEAL programs provide a relevant learning experience for our students while providing our local employers with a pipeline of future employees,” he said. “This program is a huge win for everyone involved. Thank you to VUJ, Habitat for Humanity, the Dubois County Builders Association, and our local industry for your partnership. This program is a success because of our great partners.” 

VU Director Jacob Berg said, "We are very fortunate to live in a community that values teamwork. The Construction Trades Program and Automation Robotics Academy are a direct result of high level of collaboration that is taking place in our local area. When industry and education partner to meet workforce needs, we are all winners. I am proud of the partnership between VUJ and Patoka Valley Cooperative. Our SEAL programs offer students the opportunity to gain high school credit, college credit, and real-world experience while saving money and building a resume. High school students are earning college credits that stack directly into Associates degree programs. Programs also provide the opportunity for students to learn outside of the classroom/lab as they work internships with local companies and gain real world experience."

OWBLA Southern Regional Director Jason Graves said: “I can’t describe what a pleasure it is working with Jarred Howard from the career center and Jacob Berg from Jasper VU. Both of these individuals are truly looking out for students’ best interests and programs that can benefit the community and local economy. The strong partnership between VU and Patoka Valley is a great example for others around the state to follow of getting students prepared in high school for success in work and college. I greatly enjoyed working with them to get both Certified Indiana State Earn and Learn programs completed, and I look forward to developing new programs in the near future.”

SEALs are Indiana’s state-level apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. They are designed to deliver work-and-learn experience for participants along with the skills and certifications that employer’s value. These programs are geared toward both adult and youth populations and satisfy Indiana’s graduation pathway requirements.

For more information about the Vincennes University Jasper SEAL or SEALs in general, visit the OWBLA website at www.INwbl.com or email the DWD Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship at wbl@dwd.in.gov.