Index Corporation welcomed just over 400 high school students to its North American headquarters for MFG Day 2024, representing the most significant expansion of the company’s annual event since its inception in 2019. Held on October 4, the event was attended by groups of students from Noblesville High School and Carmel High School. As part of its MFG Day activities, Index also unveiled its new apprenticeship program, the latest in a line of initiatives designed to bring talented young people into manufacturing careers.

CEO Cris Taylor (left) and Mayor Chris Jensen (right).

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen kicked off the day, delivering comments on the importance and value of manufacturing jobs to the first group of students from Noblesville High School. Throughout the day, groups of students rotated through the event, learning about the current state of advanced manufacturing technologies and the wide range of careers available within the field.

Index President and CEO Cris Taylor shared his personal story with each group of students who attended. Born and raised in the UK, Mr. Taylor left school at 16 to travel throughout Europe. He eventually landed in Germany, where he enrolled in a mechanical engineering apprenticeship program at the age of 22. Mr. Taylor credits the program with launching his career, which has included serving as president of country-specific subsidiaries of multiple multinational providers of advanced manufacturing technology.

During their guided tour of Index's facility, students visited stations where they received information on a variety of career options, including service, sales, engineering, training and logistics. Local automation provider RZ Automation also participated, demonstrating its robotics technology to attendees.

Index also provided details on its newly announced apprenticeship program. Current high school seniors can apply to the program, which will launch in summer 2025. The three-year program includes a mix of practical experience and academic instruction that culminates in the participant receiving an internationally recognized associate’s degree. The apprenticeship is a paid position and Index also covers the full cost of tuition for the academic portion. In return, participants are asked for a two-year commitment working as an application engineer upon completion of their apprenticeship.

“These types of apprenticeship programs benefit everyone involved,” said Mr. Taylor. “Companies get access to smart, dedicated employees. The young people participating get to start on an excellent career path without taking on enormous debt. The local community sees job and wage growth. We are very excited to be moving forward with this program, as we have been working toward it for several years now.”

Students interested in learning more about Index's apprenticeship program can request additional information and submit themselves for consideration at https://info-us.index-traub.com/apprenticeship. 

MFG Day is a national day to educate current middle school and high school students about manufacturing careers. It takes place on the first Friday of October and hundreds of events are held concurrently across the country.

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