The school announced a $15.6 million project that will improve its current automotive technology space. The project is funded by a 2020 bond approved by Franklin County residents.
Columbus State Community College is undertaking a $15.6 million project to update and upgrade its automotive technology learning space in order to enhance its ability to train its students with modern technology. The programs have been enrolling 13% more students in the past two years and students within the automotive technology programs have been able to experience the benefits of Clark State Community College’s partnerships with local dealerships and auto manufacturers.
According to an article on Columbus State Community College’s website, Carmen Daniels, who serves as the the college’s Business, Engineering, and Technology division dean, discussed the project and how the investment will benefit the college, saying, “As advanced technology production ramps up in our region, an updated automotive technology education environment is key to enabling access to good-paying, in-demand careers aligned with the future needs of major regional manufacturing employers like Honda, our Ford and Honda brand-recognized partnerships, and the local dealerships that rely on Columbus State as their workforce pipeline. We will continue our strong tradition of offering high-quality education preparing students for these emerging careers.”
Columbus State Community College released its 2019 facilities and technologies plan, which it called Making Central Ohio Stronger, that detailed its plans to upgrade the automotive technology training facilities. Then, in 2020, Franklin County voters approved a bond that will provide Columbus State with the funds to help bring that plan to fruition.
The two-phase project will include renovating a gymnasium in Delaware Hall that will provide students in the programs with more than 40,000 square feet of space and upgrading the current classroom space. Construction will begin in 2025 and will be completed by the end of 2026.
David Harrison, Columbus State Community College’s president, said of the project, “This investment helps fulfill our promise to Franklin County residents to invest in in-demand career education infrastructure. It’s a great creative repurposing for one of our largest buildings, enabling our automotive technology program to grow in place.”
Columbus State Community College offers both an associate degree and certificates within its automotive technology program, which prepare students to become repair technicians and automotive service technicians. Within the program’s new lab space, there will be dedicated Ford ASSET and Honda PACT training programs, which will give students the opportunity to learn from and potentially become employed by local Ford and Honda dealerships.
Along with the training center upgrades, the school is looking into upgrading the program’s curriculum to include electric vehicle production to keep up with increasing demand.
For more information about Columbus State Community College, visit the school’s website.