Wagler Training Center Awarded $18,750 Grant for Heavy Equipment Simulator
The Greene County Foundation, a long-standing public charity dedicated to strengthening communities throughout Greene County, recently awarded Wagler Education and Training Center a $18,750 grant to fund a heavy equipment operator simulator.
“The simulator bridges critical training gaps and equips Greene County residents with in-demand skills to meet employers’ evolving workforce needs,” said Michelle Ellis, Director of Training Programs at Wagler Education. “This grant makes it possible to provide a safe, cost-effective environment for learners to gain practical experience before transitioning to live machinery.”
Wagler Education and Training Center, approved by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), was established in 2021 to deliver hands-on adult education programs tailored to high-need job sectors. With 93 high school equivalency completions and 317 short-term career training certifications awarded in the past program year alone, Wagler has solidified its role as a regional workforce development leader.
Currently, Wagler can only train six students per cohort using one excavator, one dozer, a skid steer, forklift, and two utility tractors. The addition of the heavy equipment simulator will dramatically expand capacity, allowing Wagler to provide advanced training in construction skills and operator safety. The simulator offers a scalable solution, enabling students to practice operating machinery, conduct safety checks, and even simulate real-life tasks such as loading and unloading trailers, all in a virtual setting before moving on to live equipment.
“This initiative does more than enhance training,” said Josh Richardson, DWD Commissioner. “It transforms the lives of talented people by opening new career pathways and strengthening communities across the region.”
By investing in state-of-the-art training infrastructure and supporting community-led solutions, the Greene County Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Greene County’s workforce, economy, and future. Highlighting how career training serves as a foundational element of the Adult Education system, providing learners with the tools and skills needed to transition into the workforce, advance their careers, and achieve greater personal and economic stability.
To learn more information about Wagler Education, please go to https://www.waglereducation.com/
To learn more about Indiana Adult Education, please go to https://www.in.gov/dwd/career-training-adult-ed/adult-ed/
