Elgin Community College to Build $85 Million Manufacturing Center to Address Skilled Labor Shortage
Elgin Community College will start construction on its $85 million Manufacturing and Technology Center, the second-largest of its kind in Illinois, to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. The center, located on the northeastern portion of the college’s campus, will more than triple the amount of lab and instructional space for manufacturing and tech programs.
The two-story center will span 150,000 square feet, featuring solar panels to improve sustainability and provide hands-on learning for students in the renewable energy program. Glass walls will also break up the brick masonry, giving passersby a glimpse into the manufacturing and technology spaces. The center will feature an atrium, designed to be used not only by students but also by employers who can visit to share career opportunities.
"We want to make sure that all of our employers and districts are reaching out, letting us know where the jobs of tomorrow are going to be, where they need skilled labor, so that we can design ourselves to meet their needs," said Peggy Heinrich, interim president of Elgin Community College.
The new center will enable the college to expand its welding program by offering pipe welding, which is expected to add 330,000 professionals to its field by the end of 2028 to meet growing demand. Other new and updated programs housed in the building will include industrial process control, mechatronics, renewable energy, and robotics and automation.
Instructional space will also grow, with plans to move its trades programs from an existing 17,000 square foot building into a 59,000-square-foot space at the center. The state is contributing $28.5 million toward the project, which has been re-appropriated in the budget every year since 2019.
Key Features of the Manufacturing and Technology Center
- 150,000 square feet of lab and instructional space
- Solar panels for hands-on learning in renewable energy program
- Glass walls to provide a glimpse into manufacturing and technology spaces
- Atrium for student and employer use
- New programs: pipe welding, industrial process control, mechatronics, renewable energy, and robotics and automation
- Instructional space for trades programs to be moved from existing building
- $28.5 million state contribution
Conclusion
The Elgin Community College’s Manufacturing and Technology Center is a significant step towards addressing the growing demand for skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. The center’s features, including its sustainable design and innovative programs, will provide students with hands-on learning experiences and prepare them for in-demand careers. The center will also serve as a hub for employers to connect with students and faculty, ensuring that the college is meeting the needs of the local economy.
FAQs
Q: What is the total cost of the project?
A: The total cost of the project is $85 million.
Q: How many square feet of lab and instructional space will the center have?
A: The center will have 150,000 square feet of lab and instructional space.
Q: What are some of the new programs that will be offered at the center?
A: The center will offer pipe welding, industrial process control, mechatronics, renewable energy, and robotics and automation programs.
Q: How much is the state contributing to the project?
A: The state is contributing $28.5 million to the project.
