Heavy equipment simulator creates interest in construction jobs

The demand for construction workers and heavy equipment operators within the Corridor region (and beyond) appears to be increasing almost everyday. However, people are simply not considering this wide industry as potential employment.

The Iowa Workforce Development, in partnership with Hawkeye Community College and Wal-Mart, is working to change that. 

These three groups have come together to create a heavy equipment simulator. The simulator, which visited Spencer this past week, contains bulldozer, excavator, road grater, and welding stations.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor team couldn't help visiting this awesome exhibit, which is fun, but also educational and inspiring. It really gives you the sense that you are able to maneuver these large machines and that maybe you could have a future in construction.

In the hands of someone just starting out or someone looking for a new and promising career, this simulator could be the start of a whole new direction- or rather the construction of a whole new road. 

The simulator is available until July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located near the IowaWorks building at 217 W. 5th Street. Be sure to check it out!