Workforce U at Vincennes University partners with LIFT to deploy Operation Next technical training across Indiana

October 15, 2026

Skilled trades pipeline expands intensive bootcamps for transitioning military personnel and advanced manufacturing employers

VINCENNES, Ind. – Workforce U at Vincennes University announced on Thursday, Oct. 15, a partnership with LIFT, the Department of Defense-funded national manufacturing innovation institute, to deploy Operation Next across Indiana.

Operation Next is an accelerated development program designed to bridge critical technical skill shortages in advanced manufacturing by training transitioning active-duty service members, National Guard, Reservists, veterans, and their dependents.

Through this initiative, Workforce U at Vincennes University will host accelerated, hybrid training pipelines designed to transform candidates into certified, high-performing technical professionals in three to six months, starting on Nov. 12. Training will be delivered across VU’s 14 statewide campuses and specialized training hubs—including MADE@Plainfield, the Gene Haas Center Training and Education Center in Lebanon, and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics in Fort Branch—as well as on-site through mobile training units.

VU Director of Industrial Maintenance Jerry Ruble said, "At Vincennes University, our hands-on training labs are tailored to give students and transitioning service members the real-world skills they need to transition seamlessly into high-demand technical careers. Partnering with LIFT on Operation Next allows us to build upon the discipline and problem-solving background of our military population while equipping them with nationally recognized credentials that deliver immediate productivity on the plant floor."

According to VU Assistant Vice President of Outreach and Engagement Matthew Schwartz, “We hear consistently from Indiana employers that industrial maintenance and machining skills are in demand. Our goal is to help employers address those needs while creating new opportunities for veterans and transitioning service members to put their existing skills to work. If you are a veteran looking to upskill or an employer looking to develop the skills of your current workforce, we want to have that conversation with you.”

The Operation Next curriculum at Workforce U focuses on in-demand technical fields, including Industrial Technology Maintenance (ITM), CNC Machine Operation, Robotics, and Smart Building Controls. Enrolled students earn portable, industry-recognized credentials from leading national credentialing bodies, including the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).

As a DOD SkillBridge-approved initiative sponsored by LIFT, Operation Next provides free job training to eligible service members. Workforce U at Vincennes University integrates these short-term certifications directly into credit-bearing Associate and Bachelor’s degree pathways. This stackable model offers regional industry partners—such as Amazon, Walmart, Toyota, and Subaru—an immediate talent pipeline and a long-term framework for employee retention.

To learn more about Operation Next or enroll in upcoming technical cohorts at Vincennes University, visit OPNEXTJOBS.com or contact the Workforce U team at vinu.edu/workforceU.

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