As part of continued growth
at Southeast Community College, a new 52,000 square-foot building was unveiled.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Crete Carrier Diesel Technology and Welding Center was held on Wednesday,
Feb. 19, at the Milford Campus. The new space includes six training labs, a
welding center, computer lab, and shop areas.
“Today we are celebrating a
new facility that will allow these outstanding faculty to train and inspire
talented students in the finest diesel technology facility in the country,”
said SCC President Dr. Paul Illich.
“We now have a state-of-the-art
facility to match the top-notch program content we’ve always prided
ourselves in having,” said Karl Eickhoff, Diesel Technology-Truck instructor. “We
can’t wait to get settled into this new facility and watch the students take
pride in the spaces in which they’re learning.”
The $13 million facility
provides much-needed space for SCC’s Diesel-Ag Equipment Service Technology and
Diesel Technology-Truck programs, as well as welding courses. This new space
will allow the programs to accommodate the most up-to-date equipment, as well
as expand the number of students who enroll. Applications to diesel tech
programs have increased over the past 14 years, indicating a strong student
interest in the field.
“Nebraska is fortunate in so
many ways, but one thing we are short on is enough manpower,” said Tonn
Ostergard, Crete Carrier CEO & Chairman. “So it is extremely important that
we have incredibly talented young people that we’re giving them the education
and opportunities to stay right here in Nebraska.”
According to Eickhoff, shops are in constant need of diesel technicians. SCC Career Services
currently has 84 job postings for the diesel field alone. Many of the employers
are offering some form of tuition reimbursement or scholarship program to
students.
In addition to the lead gift from the Acklie Charitable
Foundation, other businesses with named spaces inside the facility are Truck
Center Companies, NMC Cat, and Inland Truck Parts & Service.