Waubonsie Community College invites the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Technical Education Center (TEC) on the south end of the Sugar Grove campus on Tuesday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m.
“This groundbreaking ceremony marks an important milestone for the university,” Waubonsie President Dr. Brian Knettle said in a new release announcing the event. “The building we are constructing will provide Waubonsie students with the latest technology, hands-on experience and training to prepare them for highly skilled, in-demand, high-wage careers in Illinois and beyond.” “It's a clear demonstration of the school's commitment,” he said.
The 100,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in fall 2025 and will house Waubonsie's auto body repair, automotive technology and welding technology programs, according to the release. According to the release, the plan includes a large dedicated lab with specialized equipment that will increase enrollment capacity and enable further program growth in diesel technology, electric vehicles, welded manufacturing, and robotic welding. I am.
Guy Tiberio, associate professor of automotive technology, said in the announcement: “What excites me about the new building is that we will have a functional shop where we can train students in the ways they would be expected to work in the field today.”
The TEC is expected to cost $60 million and will be located near the south entrance to the Sugar Grove campus, visible from Route 47. It will act as a collaboration hub and foster regional economic development by addressing a high-demand but acute labor shortage. according to the release.
Waubonsie was recently selected as one of 16 schools to participate in the Mopar® Career Automotive Program competition. According to the WCC, the competition includes technical and curriculum-based bracket “knockout” style competitions whose primary purpose is to highlight the significant shortage of automotive technicians in the real world and to The idea is to prepare for employment.