The $2.7 million federal grant Purdue Calumet received to fund the new U.S. Department of Labor-funded, advanced manufacturing training program called Project A.W.A.K.E.—hosted by Purdue University Calumet and its College of Technology—supports free training for 300 Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)-eligible workers affected by foreign trade job loss, military veterans and others under or unemployed. Training sessions of 21 weeks begin each month through 2015.

“Participants who commit to this program will be well prepared for outstanding manufacturing-related jobs as mechatronics technicians and industrial machinery mechanics,” Program Manager Dan Buehrle said. “Because so many workers with these skills are nearing retirement, manufacturing companies have expressed a need for more trained individuals.”

More information about Project A.W.A.K.E. training opportunities, including accessing an application, is available at www.purduecal.edu/technology/awake.