INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public School (IPS) and Cummins Inc. officials joined local business, government, education and community leaders recently to celebrate the launch of Cummins TEC: Technical Education for Communities at Arsenal Technical High School on the east side.
Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE), a U.S. strategic community initiative, supported the Cummins TEC team as they selected Indianapolis, and other U.S. cities to expand Cummins TEC. The aim of the expansion is to improve pathways for Black youth into prosperous careers in the identified cities.
“Cummins is known worldwide for its general excellence, quality, innovation and great corporate citizenship, and we couldn’t be prouder that the company is launching this tremendous program at Arsenal Technical High School today,” said Aleesia Johnson, Ph.D., Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). “This partnership and program are another example of how IPS is preparing students to achieve the district’s three E’s” Enrolled in a college or university, Employed at a livable wage, or Enlistment in the military upon graduation. On behalf of current and future students of IPS, I want to personally thank the leadership of Cummins for the bold initiative.”
Cummins and its partners including, Allison Transmission, IndyGo, Ivy Tech Community College, EmployIndy, Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Automotive Apprenticeship Group, McAlister Machinery-Caterpillar, Palmer Trucking-Kenworth, Pat O’Brien Toyota, Truck Country-Freightliner Trucks, Jasper Engines, and others, have provided equipment and tools to the schools’ Diesel Powered Equipment Technology and Automotive programs to enrich the students’ hands-on learning experience.
Cummins’ TEC team developed curriculum, teacher training, guidance counseling manuals, achievement tests, equipment and tool lists, as well as methods for engaging local industry in curriculum and workplace learning opportunities for students.
“Now, more than ever, employers continue to struggle to find qualified candidates to fill good paying roles such as diesel engine service technicians,” said Delilah Morgan, Cummins External Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and CARE Leader. “TEC’s purpose is focused on supporting and advancing communities, and throughout Indiana, and right in Indianapolis many opportunities exist with companies challenged when it comes to finding, hiring and retaining good talent. We look forward to working with our partners to help provide pathways to good jobs for the students.”
The Indianapolis Cummins TEC program will be the fifth located in the United States and will become part of the 26 programs located across the globe.
