February 11, 2019 / General Motors commissions VU Business &
Industry for United Auto Workers Apprenticeship Program
BEDFORD, Ind. - Vincennes University and GM Powertrain Bedford
have announced a new partnership to train United Auto Workers
apprentices in advanced manufacturing processes through VU’s Business
and Industry workforce development training program.
The partnership allows General Motors apprentices to receive
focused training in the areas of metallurgy, blueprint reading, and
CNC machining.
“Through partnerships like these with government, labor,
business, and educational institutions such as Vincennes and North
Lawrence Community School Corporation, General Motors and the United
Auto Workers are able to turn out some of the most highly trained and
knowledgeable individuals in the skilled trades professions,” said
Richard Cota, apprenticeship program director at GM Powertrain Bedford.
Cota further stated, “VU has provided quality, cost-effective
skilled trades courses to the small communities of southern Indiana.
General Motors Corporation alongside the United Auto Workers are
pleased to have the University’s vast array of extremely knowledgeable
faculty and staff overseeing our apprentice course curriculum.”
“It is my pleasure to announce Vincennes University’s
apprenticeship training program with GM Powertrain in Bedford. GM
Bedford is a global leader in aluminum die cast processing and
manufacturing, and this partnership allows Vincennes University’s
focused, quality training programs to take the apprenticeship program
to the next level,” said VU President Chuck Johnson.
The program, developed by Vincennes University with direction
from General Motors, is assisted by the United Auto Workers, StoneGate
Arts and Education Center, and North Lawrence Community Schools.
GM POWERTRAIN BEDFORD
Located in south central Indiana, GM Powertrain Bedford is one
of the leading aluminum die casting facilities in the world. Bedford
uses an aluminum die cast process to manufacture transmission casings
and converter housings for the new fuel-efficient six-speed
transmissions. Most team members are represented by United Autoworker
Locals 440 and IBEW Local 16.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and
additional sites such as Indianapolis, Lebanon, and Gibson County. A
leader in developing Early Colleges statewide, VU also offers
instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering a wide range of associate degree and
certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in
technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs
in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 35 other states,
and 17 countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana
campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only
college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become
President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S.
President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana
Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.
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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom
Manager
812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell,
VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
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Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
812-888-4164
office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom