Southeast Indiana’s workforce of tomorrow now has an inside track to careers in manufacturing, thanks to a new partnership between Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) and Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC).

HMIN and IN-MaC have created the HMIN Drives Dreams Pathway (HDDP) IN-MaC Design and Innovation Studio, which provides opportunities for middle and high school students to discover new ways to explore design thinking, problem solving, technology and creative skills. Activities will include hands-on activities with 3D printers, robotics, coding, engineering and science learning modules.

HMIN hosted an open house today at the studio, located inside the Greensburg plant.

“IN-MaC is thrilled to partner with Honda to build awareness and increase access and equity in STEM educational pathways,” said Sascha Harrell, director of education and workforce for IN-MaC (Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center). “Our partnership provides Industry 4.0 technology to the highly skilled incumbent workforce at Honda and to the future workforce.”

“As we continue to build our pipeline, it’s important for us to tap into the interests of students by providing opportunities,” said Tim Myers, Senior Vice President at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. “This studio will help students learn about manufacturing. It opens our doors as a community technical education partner, and it also helps companies like Honda find and nurture the talent we need to be successful in the future.”

The program is open to students from Indiana schools, homeschools and community-based education organizations that are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, exposure to other careers in manufacturing and to improving career opportunities for Indiana youth.

To schedule a student tour of the studio, contact Brandon Parker at brandon_parker@hmin.honda.com.