Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
A Dubois County high school and a Dubois County Career and Technical Education district were among nearly a dozen schools awarded Education Readiness Grants by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
The Education Readiness Grant provides funding to implement CTE programs in high-demand career fields. The grant is administered through the Commission’s CTE team and aims to strengthen partnerships between industry and local schools, while increasing student access to opportunities in these career fields.
The Commission awarded $685,000 in advanced manufacturing and $415,000 in digital technology awards for a total of $1.1 million.
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation was awarded a $115,000 Advanced Manufacturing grant. Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr. High School was awarded a $40,000 Advanced Manufacturing grant.
NE Dubois will purchase a state-of-the-art dual-tool CNC plasma cutting table to expand the manufacturing capabilities of its Jeep Enterprises / Jeep Engineering and Manufacturing program, a student-run business.
NE Dubois HS Principal Andy Chinn said the equipment will allow students in engineering, agriculture, construction and other CTE courses to collaborate on high-level manufacturing projects, including producing precision components for the school’s industry partner, Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
“The addition of this plasma cutting table will significantly elevate the scope and scale of the work we are doing in the classroom,” Chinn said. “It provides an opportunity for students to engage in higher-level production, offering real-world manufacturing experience and the potential to generate substantial revenue through enterprise projects.”
According to a press release from Conexus Indiana, grant recipients will either expand or start an eligible program that has a direct connection with local employers in advanced manufacturing or digital technology industries. This includes providing students with work-based learning experience that complements the CTE pathways coursework.
NE Dubois partners with several local industries, including Wabash Valley Produce, Meyer Distributing, Uebelhor and Sons Chevrolet/Cadillac, NAVSEA Warfare Centers Crane, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
“The opportunity to work on real-world projects, including collaborations with Jasper Engines and Transmissions, makes our CTE pathways more attractive to both prospective students and their families,” Chinn said.
The recipients of the 2025 Education Readiness Grants are listed below:
Advanced Manufacturing
- MSD of Steuben County: $125,000
- SW Dubois County School Corp: $115,000
- Anderson Community/District 26: $45,000
- NE Dubois Jr/Sr. HS: $40,000
- Adams Central HS: $115,000
- Eastbrook Community School Corp: $120,000
- New Castle HS: $125,000
Digital Technology
- Mt. Vernon Community School Corp: $125,000
- Indianapolis Public Schools: $120,000
- Hamilton Southeastern Schools: $70,000
- Franklin Central Community School Corp: $100,000
This is the fourth year of the Education Readiness Grant program. The grant was initially designed in partnership with Conexus Indiana as a student-focused component to the employer-targeted Manufacturing Readiness Grants program.
TechPoint joined as a partner in year two and the program expanded to also include the technology sector. Recent research of past grant recipients from Conexus indicates the grant increases enrollments and certifications in these high-demand programs, supports skill development, and improves partner collaboration.
Grant applications were reviewed by advisory committees organized by TechPoint and Conexus, which make funding recommendations for the Commission’s consideration. The committees are comprised of postsecondary, industry, and state leadership partners who represent various industry sectors and technology competencies. Grant funding is
provided through Indiana’s annual federal allocation from the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V) Act.