By Kylie Balk Yaatenen - Oct 25th 2024

 

JANESVILLE

Teachers, staff, sponsors, foundation members and students used snips to cut the tin “ribbon” off Blackhawk Technical College’s new Innovative Manufacturing Education Building Thursday night.

More than 100 people gathered to talk to instructors and to get a glimpse of the equipment and learn about programs to be offered in the building.

During the event, the sound of equipment whiring floated in as students continued to work on welding in the labs.

In May of 2023, the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation sold its Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Milton to KANDU Industries, donating $7 million to fund the new facility.

In October of 2023, Blackhawk Tech broke ground, and Prent announced a major donation.

The 52,000 square foot building featuring welding areas and specialized labs for hands-on learning was complete in August 2024.

Blackhawk Tech President Dr. Tracey Pierner reflected on how, a year ago, they were talking about consolidating and held a ground breaking.

He said it’s been a whirlwind of a year.

He said new building is set up to look like a manufacturing facility and they will be producing products with Prent Corp. and other industry partners.

Rachel Pregont Andres, the executive vice president of Prent Corp., said that the new facility is going to help prepare students for jobs in a promising field.

“The new manufacturing building symbolizes a bright future for the college, and at the same time, it is a critical part of our community’s transformation in education,” she said. “It stands as a demonstration of the college’s commitment to excellence innovation and an emphasis on preparing students for meaningful careers in manufacturing.”

Greg Phillips, the dean of advanced manufacturing at Blackhawk Tech, said the new facility will carry manufacturing instruction into the 21st century. He said the goal is for students upon graduation, to know how to use a wide variety of manufacturing tools and equipment.

He said a lot of the instruction in the new facility will be project based.

Bobbie Bishofberger, a welding instructor, said the new space will boost student learning.

“Their reaction to the space was a lot of ‘wows,’ and they were also seeing them taking care of it, taking pride in it,” she said. ”So, they’re excited to be here, excited in this facility, doing their part, being good stewards of what they’ve been given.”

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