The Arc of Indiana Foundation and Inclusive Evansville Action Committee announced on April 27 their shared vision to expand Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) into Southwest Indiana to provide postsecondary training to people with disabilities in the manufacturing and banking industries. EGTI, based in Muncie, Indiana, currently provides postsecondary vocational training in the hospitality, food service and healthcare industries.
Andy Kirby, The Arc of Indiana Foundation Executive Director said, “EGTI is changing lives. With a 100% graduation rate and 80% post-training employment rate, we know we have a vocational training model that works. The vision and partnership to establish Erskine Green Training Institute Southwest will work to train and prepare a ready and willing workforce in the manufacturing and banking industries. We are thankful to have such forward thinking and strong partners in Southwest Indiana to help make this vision a reality. Our mutual goal is to have EGTI Southwest’s inaugural program begin in the fall of 2019.”
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said, “The City of Evansville looks forward to the expansion of Erskine Green Training Institute in Southwest Indiana. A major goal of the Inclusive Evansville Action Committee is to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Providing opportunities for postsecondary vocational training that will lead to employment in the manufacturing and banking industries is a win for business, a win for people with disabilities, and a win for the city. We look forward to working with all partners to achieve our mutual goals.”
Ted Brown, assistant general manager for quality control engineering at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, said, “Like many parents of a child with special needs, I never thought my son Zach would have the same opportunities as those without disabilities; but through training Zach received at EGTI, he obtained the skills and experience needed to secure full-time employment with Superior Maintenance Company, a contractor of Toyota Indiana. Through his hard work and dedication and the help of EGTI, Zach was able to achieve his goal to earn gainful employment.”
“Toyota’s mission is more than building great cars. We’re working to create mobility options that move people in many ways, offering mobility solutions to those with disabilities or limitations; moving them upward in their lives through better education, training, employment, and resources. We know that everyone has an “impossible dream”—something they wish they could do but may not know how or have the means to achieve on their own. So, we want to help. EGTI helped Zach “Start His Impossible” and Toyota wants to help our communities do the same while partnering with organizations like The Arc of Indiana Foundation and EGTI that share our mission,” Brown concluded.