VU marks milestone with 75th Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship cohort

July 09, 2026

VINCENNES, Ind.- Vincennes University’s Business & Industry division celebrated its 75th Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship cohort with the graduation of 22 apprentices. Since its inception in the fall of 2019, over 1,395 apprentices have completed the program. The achievement speaks to VU’s partnership with Amazon and the University’s role in preparing employees for technical careers in maintenance, robotics, and automation.

Through the program, apprentices have completed hands-on technical training at VU designed to strengthen their skills in mechanical systems, electrical systems, troubleshooting, and automation.

For graduates such as Tristan Buneta, the program opened the door to a future he once thought was out of reach. After believing that education beyond high school might not be possible, Buneta said the experience changed how he viewed technical work and his own potential.

“I look at transformers and electrical motors completely different now,” Buneta said. “I think that is when it clicked, that this is something I can do.”

Buneta described the difference between the person who entered the program and the person graduating from it in one word: “Unrecognizable.”

Darcie Perruzza came to the program after working at an Amazon delivery station. She had long been interested in hands-on technical work, including motorcycles, cars, computer programming, and automation. She said the apprenticeship gave her the practical experience and campus support she needed to pursue that interest.

“I came in with zero knowledge. And now feel more confident and secure in my abilities to be the best tech I can be,” Perruzza said.

Perruzza added, “Being on campus gave us a clean, quiet place to focus, but the biggest difference was the people around us. We supported each other, learned from one another, and built connections with smart people from all over. That made the experience feel bigger than just training.”

VU Vice President for Workforce Development and Community Services David Tucker said, “Graduating the 75th Amazon cohort is a milestone worth celebrating because it represents both workforce development and individual opportunity. These apprentices are gaining hands-on skills and confidence that can help them step into careers in maintenance, robotics, and automation. Vincennes University is proud to support that growth through our partnership with Amazon.”

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