Warsaw, Ind.-based nonprofit OrthoWorx has teamed up with the Warsaw public school district to prepare high schoolers for careers in the orthopedic manufacturing industry, according to a Nov. 21 report from Inside Indiana Business.
Four local manufacturers — Zimmer Biomet, Instrumental Machine & Development, Medartis, and PreMedTec — will offer high schoolers who participate in the district's manufacturing pathway program internship opportunities during their senior year.
"The idea here is that once they finish this program and finish high school, they can then be ready to work at one of these partners right away," Erin Serafino, talent director at OrthoWorx, told Indiana Business.
Warsaw is colloquially known as the "orthopedic capital of the world," due to its high concentration of orthopedic design and manufacturing facilities.
The program will select its first group of students during the 2024-2025 academic year. The first cohort is expected to contain about 20 students, with plans to expand the program moving forward.
Industry partners will also work with Warsaw teachers to create "meaningful and impactful" orthopedic manufacturing lessons.
Earlier this year, OrthoWorx received $30 million in funding from the Indiana state government to support orthopedic workforce development and retention.