A key component of bringing in new business is the availability of a strong and diverse workforce. Through partnerships, programs and education, we strive to retain and attract the employees that employers are looking for during the site selection process.

Talent development begins at an early age with education, continues with exposure to region industries and grows with training opportunities throughout a career. The Michigan City community works with Michigan City Area Schools and business leaders to provide a path that will strengthen the area’s workforce today and tomorrow.

Hear It From Your Peers

Leaders from a variety of industries continue to champion what Michigan City has to offer: from low taxes and business costs to quality training and education.

Tonn & Blank

Construction

Training high school students for a successful future career

Construction Technology
LaPorte County’s CTE program provides hands-on training in carpentry, electrical, heating, air conditioning, painting, drywalling, plumbing and masonry. The curriculum is bolstered by community-based projects and classroom lab experiences. A partnership with the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters connects second-year students to an apprentice program.

Technology and Coding
MCAS has been recognized for its technology programs and is fully 1:1, with all students K-12 issued Chromebooks or Chrome Tablets. A community WIFI program is in its initial stages, providing access for students in need from home via school devices. Coding is emphasized along with the Unity Foundation and La Porte County Library through a Week of Code in December

Energy Academy
In partnership with NIPSCO, the LaPorte County CTE Energy Academy program prepares students for high-demand jobs in the electronics, energy and utility industries. Students work with state-of-the-art equipment in class and hands-on out in the field and during internships. Upon completion, students earn NCCER certifications in Electrical and Alternative Energy, giving them a head start.

Robotics
Founded in 2012, the MCAS’ Safe Harbor program offers a FIRST Robotics Team that constructs a competition robot each year for contests across the region and state. In 2018, the team was a member of the Indiana State Championship alliance, advancing to the World Championships in Detroit. The program also offers a FIRST Tech Challenge for middle school students and a FIRST Lego League and Junior FIRST Lego League for elementary school students.

STEM Certified Schools
Michigan City’s Lake Hills Elementary and Barker Middle School are both Indiana-certified STEM schools, offering curricular and extracurricular programming in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Both schools utilized the Project Lead the Way curriculum for engineering studies and are partner schools with Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Elementary Magnet Schools
Two state-of-the-art elementary schools in Michigan City, Lake Hills and Pine, serve students as magnet schools. Lake Hills is a magnet school for STEM and Pine is for the Visual and Performing Arts. Students within neighborhood boundaries are served along with a limited number of district students who apply through a lottery system each spring. Teacher specialists, community partners and after-school opportunities engage students and families.

Training high school students to enter the compressor/vacuum industry

The EDCMC has teamed with Ivy Tech, local employers and the high school on the Michigan City High School Compressed Air Academy. The academy was launched in 2019 with a goal of providing lucrative careers as well as add to the local industry’s workforce. The two-year program results in industry certifications and eligibility for an apprenticeship or readiness to enter the workforce. The education is hands-on providing essential experience, and students are able to visit area facilities for first-hand knowledge of job opportunities. The Academy is the first of its kind in the U.S. and has been named a State “Earn and Learn” (SEAL) program.

Supporting post-secondary educations for local students

Launched in 2017, the scholarship program supports students’ academic endeavors. Eligible high school seniors can receive up to $5,000 per year to pursue educational opportunities at any accredited college, university, post-secondary educational program or vocational school in Indiana. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years.

Real-world life experience

The high school curriculum is centered on real-world work experience through hands-on learning, internships and field experiences. Students can learn with training programs for health careers, welding, automotive services technology, construction and technology, culinary science, engineering and more. Each program offers high school students both technical certifications and dual college credit.

Click above for the latest stats on the program!

Made in LaPorte County

Providing training for adults and students in employer-needed skills

Since 2007, this expo has been bringing together students and business and manufacturing leaders. Both middle and high school students can delve into what career path interests them while being exposed to what careers are here and what skills they need to work in a particular field.

LaPorte County Skill UP Network

Introducing students to local businesses early and guiding them towards prosperous careers.

With a focus on manufacturing, the collaboration seeks to prepare students and adults for a career in a skilled trade, from welding to metal works. The collective strategy was launched in 2018 with a grant funded in part by the Department of Workforce Development as a way to educate and certify individuals pursuing a manufacturing career.

IVY Tech
Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s third largest public higher education system. An open-access, two-year technical college, Ivy Tech offers courses, degree programs, and training leading to certification and continuing education. With a campus in Michigan City, businesses have ready-access to customized training opportunities to meet their needs.

3714 Franklin Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
219-879-9137
www.ivytech.edu

Purdue
Northwest

Purdue University Northwest (PNW), a comprehensive regional university within the Purdue University system, has two region campuses. With more than 15,000 students and nearly 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, PNW is Indiana’s fifth largest public university. PNW’s larger scale provides enhanced opportunities for students.

Westville Campus
1401 South US 421
Westville, IN 46391
219-785-5200

Hammond Campus
2200 169th Street
Hammond, IN 46323
219-989-2400

www.pnw.edu

Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University
Northwest

Indiana University Northwest (IUN) is an accredited regional university in Northwest Indiana that offers the same Indiana University degree. IUN offers more than 70 bachelor degrees and has the only medical school in Northwest Indiana. Indiana University Northwest offers flexible learning options and has more than 125 online degree programs.

3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408

(888-968-7486)
www.iun.edu/

Discover Opportunity!