Manufacturing and Technology Center
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Grand Opening Sept. 24
Elgin Community College (ECC) is developing a new, 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) designed to advance workforce development and meet the needs of local employers. This cutting-edge facility, opening in August 2026, will expand ECC’s academic programs in manufacturing, engineering, and technology while addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled workers.
Funded by $28.5 million in state investment, the MTC will help close the middle-skills labor gap by providing hands-on education, industry-recognized training, and real-world learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and related fields.
More than just a learning space, the MTC will serve as a regional collaboration hub, connecting students, educators, and industry partners to strengthen the local workforce pipeline. Through this partnership-driven approach, ECC continues its mission to prepare students for high-demand, high-paying careers while fueling economic growth in the greater Elgin area. Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to common questions about the Manufacturing and Technology Center.
In-demand Careers and Programs
Advancements in automation and robotics are accelerating the need for a skilled technical workforce prepared to meet the demands of Industry 4.0. As manufacturing continues to evolve, employers are seeking innovative ways to educate, train, upskill, and reskill workers to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
Careers You'll Be Prepared For
- Machinists, CNC operators, and programmers
- Maintenance technicians
- Clean energy and sustainability-focused roles
- HVAC Installation and Service Technician
- Welders and fabricators
These programs emphasize hands-on, industry-aligned training to equip students with the technical skills needed to succeed in modern manufacturing environments.
The facility will also offer new and enhanced programs in robotics, renewable energy, pipe welding, industrial process control, and more. The MTC will expand Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship opportunities, giving employers access to a larger talent pool. It will also create pathways to advanced manufacturing careers for K-12 students.
What's Happening at the Manufacturing and Technology Center?
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As ECC expands its manufacturing and technology programs, we are hiring part-time faculty who are passionate about sharing their industry expertise in areas such as automation and robotics, advanced manufacturing, welding, and HVAC. Whether you're an experienced educator or an industry professional looking to transition into teaching, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students and the regional workforce.
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Please join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter for ECC and our commitment to providing cutting-edge education and training for the workforce of tomorrow. Mark your calendar for our Grand Opening and Open House event.
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Time: 4 pm to 6 pm
- Location: Main Campus, Building S, Manufacturing & Technology Center
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Watch our latest videos for an inside look at the progress of the Manufacturing and Technology Center construction project. Discover what’s new for 2026, what’s coming next, and how everything is taking shape!
For media inquiries:
Media Relations Office
Featured Videos
Hands-on HVAC training at Elgin Community College
HVAC instructor Reyes Estrada highlights hands-on learning opportunities with geothermal technology that prepare students for in-demand careers.
Construction Progress: April 2026
Hear from ECC faculty about construction progress and how the new center will transform the student learning experience.
Construction Progress: December 2025
ECC Dean Cathy Taylor shares updates on the new Manufacturing and Technology Center, including new programs, industry partnerships, and expanded career opportunities for students.
Construction Progress: September 2025
Dr. Peggy Heinrich shares a September 2025 update on construction progress and what’s ahead for the new center.
Construction Progress: May 2025
Staff share a May 2025 update on construction progress and what’s ahead for the new Manufacturing and Technology center.
Introducing the New Manufacturing and Technology Center
Discover ECC’s new state-of-the-art facility, preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing and technology.
MTC Gallery
ECC is dedicated to academic excellence, improving its manufacturing technology and STEM curriculum, and enhancing its state-of-the-art classrooms and career and technical programs.
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The new Manufacturing and Technology Center on McLean
The Manufacturing and Technology Center at ECC secured a $28.5 million state investment to meet the rising demand for middle-skill education. Our efforts focus on supporting the growth of the Greater Elgin area by offering specialized training at the community college level, addressing the shortage of middle-skill labor.
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Grant Money Makes it Possible
ECC's Energy Management program is creating a hands-on learning lab featuring solar PV panels, inverters, cables, and mounting structures, funded by a $39,150 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). The project includes constructing a functional solar array using repurposed shipping containers.
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Local Partnerships with Government and Business
At ECC, students gain hands-on experience in specialized facilities, equipping them for confident career beginnings. We provide training that goes beyond a high school diploma, specifically designed for careers that don’t require a Bachelor’s degree. Through MTC, we’re expanding Department of Labor apprenticeships, giving local employers access to a larger pool of skilled workers and creating clear pathways to advanced manufacturing careers for K-12 students in District 509. Additionally, many employers rely on ECC to reskill or upskill their employees in mechatronics, ensuring their workforce stays competitive.
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Spaces for Student Activities and Lounges
This 150,000-square-foot facility nearly doubles the current space and offers a modern learning environment for manufacturing. It features advanced amenities such as improved ventilation, integrated robotics, labs, and classrooms. In contrast, ECC’s current labs in Building O occupy 17,000 square feet, while the new center will cover 59,000 square feet. Building O currently has 10 classrooms and eight large instructional labs. The MTC will include 13 classrooms, nine large instructional labs, and 11 medium-sized instructional labs.
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Addressing the Middle-Skills Lab
Students can earn a certificate in Industrial Maintenance Technology or Automated Electronic Systems, or they can continue their studies to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Integrated Systems Technology/Maintenance Technology. With 1 in 6 Elginites employed by Elgin-based manufacturing firms, these programs provide vital skills that meet strong local industry demand.
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Better Learning Spaces for Students
The Industrial Manufacturing Technology program is tailored for a contemporary learning environment. It offers education and training to manufacturing employers in the Greater Elgin area, addressing the challenge of filling the middle-skills labor gap. ECC will provide associate degrees, on-the-job training, employer collaborations, certificates, and apprenticeships.
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Help Make Graduates Job-Ready
After the building's completion, ECC will expand its access to innovative programs, reaching a broader student audience. We will provide courses such as Robotics and Automation, Renewable Energy, MIG, GMAW, SMAW, Pipe Welding, and Industrial Process Control, all designed to align with industry standards. These programs equip graduates to start making meaningful contributions to their careers right away.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
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The Manufacturing and Technology Center is taking shape, with classes to start in August and the Grand Opening celebration set for Thursday, September 24.
ECC in the News
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ECC Manufacturing Student Turns Classroom Skills into Career Growth
ECC student Ryan Reid used his skills he learned in an industrial manufacturing technology class to advance in his career at manufacturer Jeniko.
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Closing the Skilled Trades Gap: What Manufacturers Can Do
Practical strategies manufacturers are using to build a reliable skilled workforce.
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ECC Launches New Pipe Welding and Quality Control Technician Certificates for Fall 2026
The new pipe welding and quality control technician certificates will be housed in ECC’s new 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC), opening in the fall of 2026. This will provide students access to cutting-edge equipment and industry-relevant learning environments.
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ECC Student Apprentice Gets Hands-On with Manufacturing & Technology
ECC student Divonte Grant is part of ECC's Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which has given him immediate employable skills and is now an apprentice with the metal company, voestalpine.
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ECC Receives $2 Million in Federal Funding for Manufacturing and Technology Center
Elgin Community College has been awarded $2,000,000 in federal funding secured by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to support advanced manufacturing training at the college’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC).
Construction Progress Continues with ECC's Manufacturing and Technology Center: Video
Construction is officially underway on ECC’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center—a significant investment in our future and a reflection of our commitment to innovation, hands-on learning, and regional economic development. As the building begins to rise, we’re excited to share progress updates and invite the community to be part of this transformative journey. Watch the latest video update!
Powerful Partnerships
ECC has forged partnerships with local manufacturing firms, the Elgin Development Group, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, the Valley Industrial Association, and local WIOA Boards to stay connected and informed about industry needs. Through these collaborations, the college is committed to developing inclusive programming that prioritizes equity for underserved communities in Elgin, including justice-impacted individuals, women, BIPOC individuals, and other marginalized groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the manufacturing sector.
Contact
Career and Technical Education Programs
Building O, Room O125
847-214-7900
mtcinquiries@elgin.edu
Take an Interactive Tour
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