BEDFORD – Hoosier Uplands awarded a $25,000 grant to the North Lawrence Career Center for a Virtual Auto Collision Spray Paint Simulator.
This grant will allow students to be able to get feedback on how well they are doing before going into the paint booth and working on an actual vehicle.
“This will save us costs on paint and materials, by evaluating them before actually doing this in real-time,” said Brad Street director of North Lawrence Career Center.
North Lawrence Career Center Instructor Kenny Turner was thrilled to be able to have this tool in his classroom.
“This will allow me to evaluate each student in how they apply the paint, it will give me a spreadsheet to evaluate everything about their technique. Then I can give them input on how to improve, and in the end, we will have a quality product saving us a lot of money,” said Turner.
Turner hopes to be able to have the simulator up and operating by the next school year.
“We will get it purchased, and then I will get trained on it hopefully by the end of May, I should then be able to have it in the classroom. This is fun to watch the students do this in real-time,” said Turner.
Hoosier Upland CEO David Miller and Danny Baker, director of maintenance at Hoosier Uplands presented the check to Brad Street Thursday morning and took a tour of the facility.
Hoosier Uplands, as well as Lawrence County Economic Growth Council and many other partners throughout the area, have been partnering with the North Lawrence Career Center to upgrade equipment.
This grant was one of three grants awarded to the career center. Other areas receiving grants were health occupations and machining.
North Lawrence Career Center continues to increase enrollment with the highest enrollment in years with approximately 1,200 students taking part in the course offerings
Some of the course offerings at North Lawrence Career Center include Computer Science, Engineering, FACS, Machining, AG/AG Mechanics, Design/Media, Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Construction, Welding, Electronics, and College/Career.
The North Lawrence Career Center director Brad Street and the advisory board continue to evaluate other courses they could offer to students.
A primary goal is to prepare students for careers in trade fields. With many people retiring in the fields there will be a high demand for new employees with the said trade skills.
Dr. Ty Mungle has worked over the last two years evaluating the need for these programs especially for those who do not want to further their education by attending a college or university.
There are approximately 50 Career Centers for high school students throughout the state.
Thanks to the hardwork and collaboration of many throughout the area the North Lawrence Career Center is leading the way in preparing the work force of the future.
