ABILENE Texas State Technical College officers broke floor for a brand new Industrial Technology Center at its Abilene east campus on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

The facility will improve the campus expertise, present extra coaching house for brand new and modern packages, and assist the school adapt to the ever-changing technical coaching panorama. The constructing is scheduled to be accomplished in January 2025.

Mike Reeser, TSTC’s chancellor and CEO, stated the $24 million facility will assist TSTC proceed its mission of inserting Texans in high-paying jobs.

“The beauty of our college is that we can put Texans through short-term programs and when they finish they will have extraordinary salaries,” he stated in a press launch. “We work for the employers of Texas, and this expansion is an example of that dedication.”

Rep. Stan Lambert, R-Abilene, stated the growth exhibits the state’s dedication to TSTC and Taylor County.

“This shows the commitment that our community partners are engaged with TSTC for the next several decades,” he stated. “This also shows the state’s commitment to Abilene and the Big Country to get people trained and hired.”

Parkhill, a Lubbock-based multidisciplinary architectural and engineering agency, was chosen in 2022 to finish the pre-design, programming and conceptual design of the brand new heart. The 48,139-square-foot facility will present coaching in Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology, HVAC Technology, and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology.

Brandon Young, a senior affiliate and architect at Parkhill, stated the design of the ability far exceeded the agency’s objectives.

“Our mission is building community by creating inventive, relevant-built environments together,” Young stated within the launch. “The buildings we create with TSTC are poised to be learning environments equipped with the necessary tools that put integrated systems and equipment on display for students to see in action. Everyone trained in this facility can be able to establish long-lasting careers in their respective fields.”

Here is a have a look at every program’s house within the new facility:

• Diesel Equipment Technology may have 15,095 sq. ft of house, together with 14,045 sq. ft for technical coaching. It can even embody 10 bays, in addition to 1,000 sq. ft devoted to an engine and transmission lab.
• Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology may have 3,755 sq. ft of house, together with 2,568 sq. ft of technical coaching house, 1,069 sq. ft of exterior house, and 1,998 sq. ft for an exterior short-pole yard. One massive fundamental pole yard shall be a part of the design and shall be adjoining to a lined space/lined truck parking house.
• HVAC Technology may have 6,976 sq. ft devoted to this system, together with 5,740 sq. ft of technical coaching house.
• Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology may have 10,808 sq. ft of house, with 9,082 sq. ft for technical coaching. There shall be two devoted tractor simulator stations and 30 devoted brazing stations, which shall be shared with HVAC Technology.

A typical space of the constructing will embody laptop labs, workplace areas and assist areas.

Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For extra data, go to tstc.edu.