Manufacturing and Technology Center
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Manufacturing and Technology Center at Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College is constructing a new, cutting-edge Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC), spanning 150,000 square feet. This facility is designed to meet rising enrollment demands and expand academic offerings to align with the needs of local employers. Specifically, the MTC will provide essential education and training for manufacturing employers in the Elgin area and has secured $29.5 million in state funding to address the middle-skills labor gap. Additionally, the facility will be adaptable to accommodate evolving manufacturing requirements in our region.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Please join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter for ECC and our commitment to providing cutting-edge education and training for tomorrow's workforce.
In-demand Careers and Programs
Emerging technologies like automation, digitization, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence underscore the demand for a skilled workforce to fill these critical roles. As a result, manufacturers are exploring innovative approaches to educate, train, upskill, and reskill workers to maintain competitiveness.
In-demand careers at the MTC will include:
- Welders and Fabricators
- Machinists, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operators and Programmers
- Maintenance Technicians
- Clean Energy Workers
The programs planned to occupy the building include:
- IST Maintenance Technology
- Industrial Manufacturing Technology
- Heating, Vent, A/C, & Refrigeration / Energy Management
- Welding
The brand-new facility will house maintenance technology, industrial manufacturing, HVAC-R, energy management, and welding programs, reflecting its commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Upon its opening, the facility will introduce new and enhanced programs in robotics, renewable energy, pipe welding, industrial process control, and more. Additionally, the MTC will expand opportunities for the Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeships, providing employers with access to a larger pool of talented and skilled workers and pathways to advanced manufacturing careers for K-12 students in District 509.
MTC Gallery
The College is dedicated to academic excellence, improving its manufacturing technology and STEM curriculum, and enhancing state-of-the-art classrooms and career and technical programs like the ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center. Although construction has not yet started, here is a sneak peek of the planned design for outside and inside spaces.
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The new Manufacturing and Technology Center on McLean
The Manufacturing and Technology Center at ECC secured a $29.5 million state investment to meet the increasing demand for middle-skill education. Our efforts aim to support the expansion of the Greater Elgin area by providing specialized training at the community college level, addressing the gap in middle-skill labor.
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Grant Money Makes it Possible
ECC's Energy Management program plans to install a solar racking system outdoors, funded by a $39,150 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). Construction on a functional solar array utilizing repurposed shipping containers will commence by Fall 2024.
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Local Partnerships with Government and Business
At ECC, students can gain practical experience in our specialized facilities and beyond, preparing them to begin their careers confidently. ECC offers training beyond high school diplomas, tailored to meet career requirements without needing a Bachelor's degree.
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Spaces for Student Activities and Lounges
This facility, which spans 150,000 square feet, offers nearly double the current space. It's a cutting-edge learning environment designed for modern manufacturing. It features advanced amenities like improved ventilation and integrated robotics. This space is designed to provide students with an exciting and supportive environment and the resources necessary for success.
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Addressing the Middle-Skills Lab
By investing in training facilities like the one on McLean Avenue in Elgin, ECC aims to equip residents with the skills needed to fill high-demand manufacturing roles with trained workers from the area. This will boost employment rates and strengthen the region's economic foundation.
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Better Learning Spaces for Students
The Industrial Manufacturing Technology program is designed to operate in a modern learning space. It provides education and training for manufacturing employers in the Greater Elgin area who face challenges in filling the middle-skills labor gap. ECC will work to offer associate degrees, on-the-job training partnerships, certificates, and apprenticeships.
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Help Make Graduates Job-Ready
Once the building is completed, ECC will expand access to its innovative programs to a larger student body. We will offer courses in Robotics and Automation, Renewable Energy, Pipe Welding, and Industrial Process Control tailored to meet industry standards. These training programs will ensure graduates are well-prepared and capable of making immediate contributions to their careers.
Powerful Partnerships
ECC has forged partnerships with local manufacturing firms, the Elgin Development Group, the Illinois Manufacturer’s 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
Take an Interactive Tour
Imagine yourself at Elgin Community College from wherever you are. View the classes and spaces you’ll walk in as a student. No matter where you are in your college search, we can help.