INDIANAPOLIS, May 19, 2025 – Vincennes University is excited to announce a dynamic new community partnership with 3M, marked by a $178,000 grant to significantly enhance hands-on technical training opportunities for Indiana high school students. This investment enables the purchase of 10 state-of-the-art Mechatronics trainers to be installed at the Area 31 Career Center, equipping students with cutting-edge tools to prepare for in-demand careers in manufacturing, automation, and engineering, along with certified training for the instructors.
“What VU is doing at Area 31 is exactly what technical education should look like – real world skills, industry standard equipment, and students learning by doing,” said Chad White of Festo Didactic.
A check presentation and celebration at Area 31 commemorated the collaboration between 3M, VU, and key workforce and education partners. The event included remarks from institutional leaders, policymakers, program partners and demonstrations showcasing the new equipment.
Director of the VU Center for Applied Robotics and Automation Kimberly Wright said, “Partnerships like this are essential in closing the skills gap and empowering young learners with opportunities that truly prepare them for the future of work. With the support of 3M, and the excellent faculty at Area 31 in our Early College programs, we’re able to provide students direct access to real-world technologies and career pathways that lead to high-wage, meaningful jobs.”
The advanced Mechatronics trainers—developed by leading automation company Festo—mirror the technology used in modern smart factories, giving students hands-on experience with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and automation controls found throughout the industry.
“Adding these Mechatronics trainers expands our capacity to serve more students and deepens the level of instruction we can offer,” VU Early College Site Director Maria Srnka said.
VU Area 31 Integrated Mechanics Instructor James Duddleston said, “This investment is a game-changer for our students. They are working the same systems they will encounter in the field. The curriculum has come to life, and they can step right into advanced manufacturing roles right out of high school.”
This initiative reinforces VU’s commitment to aligning education with workforce needs. As Indiana and the nation face critical shortages in skilled trades, collaborations like this play a pivotal role in building a robust pipeline of highly trained talent.
