ABINGDON, Va. – The first new academic building in 30 years is taking shape on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College and is expected to open this fall.
The $8.5 million Paramont Applied Technology and Workforce Center will become home to the school’s welding program, diesel engine training program and workforce development department. The one-story brick structure is being built by BurWil Construction on a hill near the Southwest Virginia Center for Higher Education.
“Both the diesel program and the welding program are currently off site. Diesel is in [county’s] old school bus garage. We make it work and our faculty make it work,” said Laura Pennington, vice president for institutional advancement. “The welding program is currently housed in the small business incubator. It’s a great lab space, but it’s small.
“This building will be a game-changer for both programs because this space is designed for teaching. We will be able to grow,” Pennington said. “We will almost double the capacity of places in both programs and these are programs where students have jobs before they graduate.”
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The left side of the 20,000-square-foot building will be dedicated to the welding program with classroom space and space for 13 welding labs. To the right will be the diesel program, which includes four large bays capable of accommodating large trucks, a tool storage area and a separate engine testing space.
Most students choose the one-year option for each program, but there is interest in expanding both to full associate degree status, Pennington said.
“With enough of this academic foundation, students could transfer to a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology as in [Virginia] technical Trying to build that middle manager,” she said.
The rear of the building will provide space for the college’s workforce development program.
Both programs work day and night. The welding program currently includes 16 day students and 16 night students. Diesel has 18 students in both day and night classes, and both programs are expected to double in size.
“Our workforce development and personalized learning division will also have a real home,” Pennington said. “They help small business developers start and build new businesses, grow their businesses, and do a lot of customized training for manufacturers and other companies in the area.”
There is also a set of short-term credentials that people can earn.
“Because they’re all together and these businesses and industries come and go, I think there’s going to be a lot of cross-pollination so students here or employees of these businesses can add more value with some of these credentials,” Pennington said.
Fundraising for the building is nearly complete, but the college and the VHCC Foundation are still seeking about $406,000 to fully fund the project.
Funding has already come from Paramont Manufacturing, the Virginia Tobacco Regional Revitalization Commission, the Genan Foundation, the Wellspring Foundation, the United Company Foundation and private donors.
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