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Manufacturing and Technology Center

Manufacturing and Technology Center Rendering of Building Exterior

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 addresses growing enrollment and expands academic offerings to meet local employers' needs. The MTC will offer vital education and training for manufacturing employers in the Elgin area. It has secured $28.5 million in state funding to address the middle-skills labor gap.

It will be a collaboration hub—bringing together students, educators, and local employers to address our region’s workforce needs.

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In-demand Careers and Programs

 Emerging technologies such as automation, digitization, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence highlight the growing demand for skilled workers. These technologies create critical roles that require a highly trained workforce. 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:

 
The new facility will offer programs in maintenance technology, industrial manufacturing, HVAC-R, energy management, and welding. It reflects a commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers in manufacturing and technology. 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.

FAQ

A list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the new Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC).

The ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) addresses the demand for middle-skill education and supports Chicagoland manufacturing growth. It will offer hands-on learning in specialized facilities to prepare students for high-demand roles in manufacturing. Programs will include HVAC-R, energy management, industrial maintenance, mechatronics, CNC machining, pipe welding, and quality technician training. Future educational program offerings will include robotics, renewable energy, and industrial process control.

The MTC will be located at 1600 Spartan Drive, near the main entrance of ECC, in Elgin. Colonial Café and The Hangout previously occupied the site.

The new Manufacturing and Technology Center will be 150,000 square feet, nearly double the current space at ECC. The building will feature 55,000 square feet of advanced lab space more than tripling our current capacity, including 13 and 20 instructional labs. This expansion significantly increases the current 17,000 square feet of lab space in Building O.

Supported by a $57 million investment, including $30 million from the State of Illinois, the Manufacturing and Technology Center is a testament to the power of partnership—between educators, employers, legislators, and community leaders.

The MTC will offer programs in:

  • Maintenance Technology
  • Industrial Manufacturing Technology
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC-R) / Energy Management
  • Welding
  • Future programs will include robotics, renewable energy, pipe welding, industrial process control, and increased DOL-sponsored apprenticeship opportunities. 

The center will prepare students for various high-demand careers, including:

  • Welders and Fabricators
  • Machinists, CNC Operators, and Programmers
  • Maintenance Technicians
  • Clean Energy Workers 

The new facility is essential to meet the growing demand for manufacturing program enrollment, which has led to waiting lists. Local employers have supported this project through donations, emphasizing the need for additional training space. The facility’s goal is to address the middle-skills workforce gap and align with the educational needs of regional employers. These roles are vital to the economy, filling key positions in the manufacturing sector. By offering more training for high-demand, well-paying jobs, the facility will help individuals achieve economic growth and contribute to the success of their communities.

The project has secured a $28.5 million investment from the state to address the middle-skills labor shortage and support manufacturing employee training in the Greater Chicagoland area. In addition, the energy management program will receive a $39,150 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) to support solar racking and array construction. The MTC will also expand opportunities for Department of Labor (DOL)-sponsored apprenticeships, helping employers connect with a larger pool of skilled workers.

The new Manufacturing Training Center (MTC) will boast cutting-edge features, including enhanced ventilation systems, integrated robotics, and contemporary learning spaces. Designed to offer an immersive, hands-on educational experience that aligns with the evolving demands of the manufacturing industry, the facility will expand its instructional lab space from 17,000 square feet to an impressive 59,000 square feet. 

By investing in advanced training facilities, ECC aims to equip residents with the skills necessary for high-demand manufacturing jobs. This investment will enhance employment rates, strengthen the local economy, and help bridge the middle-skills labor gap by providing practical training and career opportunities. The potential for substantial earnings in technical fields underscores the benefits of this initiative. Moreover, ECC strives to become an economic driver by providing a skilled workforce to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses to the local economy. 

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, significant aspects of construction will be conducted, including site development, building construction, and parking lot construction.  

ECC offers additional training opportunities beyond a high school diploma, focusing on middle-skill education through associate degrees, certificates, on-the-job training partnerships, and apprenticeships. This approach emphasizes hands-on learning and helps students launch their careers confidently.

ECC collaborates with local manufacturing companies, the Elgin Development Group, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, and local WIOA Boards to address industry needs. These partnerships aim to create equitable programs for underserved communities, including justice-impacted individuals, women, BIPOC, and other underrepresented groups in the manufacturing sector. 

Elgin Community College is recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation and is committed to academic excellence. The College is enhancing its manufacturing technology and STEM curriculum while improving state-of-the-art classrooms and career and technical programs, such as the ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center. 

Building O, which currently houses the SBCT spaces, will be renovated. The new Manufacturing and Technology Center will provide updated and expanded facilities for welding and other manufacturing programs. 

Corporate sponsors should contact the ECC Foundation for donation information and potential naming rights. Use this form.

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

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