Will be used to train students in manufacturing, automotive
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (Jan, 11, 2017) — The $24 million 78,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center has opened at the Bluegrass Community & Technical College campus in Georgetown. The facility was designed to prepare more students for well-paying jobs in the state’s growing automotive and manufacturing industries. It was built by Messer Construction Co.
More than 60 students are enrolled at BCTC Georgetown’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program, which allows sponsored students to work three days a week for a manufacturer and attend classes for two days a week.
“We’ve waited a long time for this day,” said Mark Manuel, BCTC’s vice president of advancement and organizational development. “This beautiful, new building actually was designed in 2007, but with the economic recession, there was no funding to complete it. Now, with the economy bouncing back and continued growth in manufacturing in this region, we were able to make this center a reality.”
The new center allowed BCTC to relocate its AMT program and equipment from the nearby Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky campus. The new, high-tech facility also now houses manufacturing-related programs that had been based at other BCTC campuses, including industrial maintenance, electronics, industrial electricity, robotics, mechanical drives, fluid power, machining and welding. Customized workforce training for business development will be offered, as well as traditional general education courses to support residents from Georgetown/Scott County and the surrounding communities.
It includes space for traditional classes and some meeting space, but a unique component of the facility is the flexible high-bay area equipped with modern manufacturing equipment such as computers, robotics and other electronics. The high-bay area and industrial-looking design of the entire center are intended to help students become comfortable in manufacturing settings.
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