The ribbon was cut Wednesday afternoon by the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce to welcome Kaskaskia College’s Mobile Manufacturing Lab.
The lab is contained in a large trailer that showcases a variety of skilled trades and offers short-term training events and insights into career opportunities.
Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Career Services Joy Fitts says the facility is designed to bring hands-on experiences.
”We have a virtual welder in the lab, so students can try their hand at welding,” Fitts said. “We also have a robot that students are able to operate, a CNC machine and other types of industrial technology portable trainers. We also have HVAC and carpentry in there. There are a lot of different things that students can experience hands-on.”
Fitts says the lab will also be utilized to assist small industries in the college district.
“We also use the mobile manufacturing lab to take to small and mid-sized businesses that are not able to come to KC to do the training. We can take the lab directly to their place of employment and do non-credit workforce training right there on site.”
Fitts says more than $600,000 in federal grant money is paying for 82-percent of the cost of the mobile lab that was completed this summer.
You can visit the college’s website to request a visit from the mobile manufacturing lab.
The ribbon cutting concluded a luncheon meeting of area business officials where the college gave an update on their activities and future plans.
