Britt Miller, Director of Member Engagement, UDWI REMC
According to a study conducted by Ivy Tech earlier this year, there will be a need for more than 82,000 people to gain non-degree credentials – such as skills training, certifications and licenses – in the next decade to meet the growing demand for skilled trade jobs in Indiana. For the last several years, we have seen evidence of the growing gap in those entering skilled trade professions, especially in my own work at an electric cooperative that utilizes skilled trade professionals and works closely with corporate members who need welders, heavy equipment operators, those with CDL certifications, and more.
Instead of watching the gap widen, it is up to those in our local communities to take steps toward a solution. One solution is educating students on their options after high school. For years, students have been primarily steered toward going to college, but now, especially with the increasing cost of gaining a higher education, students should be aware of all of their options— including going to a technical college or gaining skills training to enter a skilled-trade profession.
One organization helping to support people into entering skilled-trade positions is Wagler Education & Training Center (WETC), based in Lyons. WETC is a state-approved Adult Education Site offering the Indiana High School Equivalency and certifications in trade skills. As a local organization, Wagler Education & Training Center is passionate about helping fellow community members achieve their goals by advancing their careers and their overall qualities-of-life – something I discovered when our UDWI REMC staff toured WETC to learn more about what they do.
During our tour, we had the chance to meet with Michelle Ellis, Director of Training Programs & Adult Education Coordinator. Although her title is that of “Director,” it was apparent to me that Michelle was much more than that – she truly embodies the mission of WETC and cares for the success of each one of the students who enter into the organization’s programs. As she put it, “if survival is the priority, then education cannot be,” which is why Wagler Education & Training Center has gone out of its way to make sure that all students are offered free meals and access to shower facilities.
Michelle’s heart for helping her community is reflected in the success of WETC, with 352 students having graduated from various programs from July of 2024 through June of this year. Upon graduation, many families are able to become self-sufficient, going into skilled-trade professions across Indiana and advancing their annual incomes by thousands of dollars.
The specific trade skills offered by Wagler Education & Training Center include: IT Fundamentals, Welding, CNC Machining, CDL-A training, CDL-B, School Bus, Heavy Equipment Operations, Core Construction, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, HVAC, and Medical Billing & Coding. By offering these trade skills to those in our southern Indiana region, WETC provides an enriched learning environment that has helped countless students learn, develop and grow.
By sharing the amazing work that WETC is doing here in southern Indiana, I hope that people will support its mission of helping individuals advance their education and careers. Community members can help advance WETC’s mission by purchasing something on their Amazon wishlist or by “sponsoring a student” and covering the fee for the official GED test at https://www.waglereducation.com/.
For those looking to further themselves, now is a great time to apply as a student at WETC, especially considering all of the growth and upcoming projects in Greene County and around Naval Support Activity Crane.