GOSHEN — A state-funded welder training program is starting to bear fruit for Lippert Components and Elkhart County’s growing recreational vehicle industry, which is needy for skilled workers.
The first class of students graduated earlier this month from the 12-week paid training program at Lippert Components’ Plant 19 in Goshen, and all five of them were hired by Lippert. More classes will follow, providing trained welders for the supplier of RV parts to scoop up. Lippert needs more welders to keep up with the demand for RV frames.
The 18-month program, launched earlier this year, is mostly funded by an $883,400 grant from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Skill UP Indiana program. To be eligible for the grant, a $364,000 private investment was made by Lippert and other companies in the RV industry.
Students are paid $13 per hour during the program, which is being run by Vincennes University at the Lippert plant. Courses start every four weeks and will run until the end of next year.
Those who graduate from the program, which includes classroom and hands-on training, will earn an advanced welding certificate and credits from the university toward an associate degree in welding. They will be offered jobs by Lippert when they graduate. The program is administered by the MBC Group, a staffing services firm in Goshen.
Nick Fletcher, chief human resources officer for Lippert, said the company hopes to hire about 100 welders through the program across five chassis building facilities in Elkhart County.