INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A group of Indiana high school students is participating in the Conexus Indiana Catapult Camp this week, where they are gaining hands-on experience in the state’s manufacturing industry.

The camp enables students to simulate an auto assembly line by building LEGO cars on a conveyor belt, replicating real-world manufacturing processes. This immersive experience aims to provide students with a glimpse into Indiana’s manufacturing sector, where the average annual salary exceeds $91,000.

“We want to make sure that they understand what they are doing and understand what quality is,” said Guillermo Guillen, program manager of Conexus Catapult. “How they can support and bring to the table in any industry or company.”

Lynn Sinnott, a skilled U.S. instructor with a background in quality assurance, emphasized the importance of quality in manufacturing.

“I talk about quality right away because that is my background, quality assurance and control,” Sinnott said. “Anything that has the word ‘quality’ in it, someone from this particular environment could go easily into that job.”

Lynn Sinnott, who spent 20 years at General Electric (GE), is now sharing her expertise with students, highlighting the role of technology, teamwork, and problem-solving in modern manufacturing.

“This learning is based on the automotive industry from Toyota and Subaru, and my background with GE,” Sinnott said. “We have so many different facets of manufacturing here, and many folks like myself who are retiring, we need to fill those positions, and that’s what we’re hoping from our job training programs.”

For students like Loreley Lopez-Arias, a junior at Speedway High School, the camp offers a new perspective on career paths.

“There’s a lot more of a push for college than for blue-collar jobs, but nowadays you’re seeing a lot more attention towards those areas,” Lopez-Arias said. “It’s not just college after school.”

Students participating in the camp not only gain career exposure, but also earn a certificate, boosting their confidence in pursuing manufacturing careers.

“We have fifteen graduates from this cohort, and I couldn’t be more proud of my students,” Sinnott said.

The Conexus Indiana Catapult Camp is providing high school students with valuable insights into the manufacturing industry, potentially shaping their future career choices beyond traditional college paths.

About The Author

See author's posts