SCC to Build Regional Workforce Innovation Center

Published: 07/18/2023

SCC is expanding west, with its new campus coming to western St. Charles County, near the David Hoekel I-70 Interchange.

The first building on the 55-acre campus will be the 48,000 square-foot Regional Workforce Innovation Center. This will be the premier technical training and education center within the Greater St. Louis Region. 

The Center will be future-focused on innovation and meeting the needs of business and industry.  It will prepare the region’s workforce for jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, robotics, sustainable energy, healthcare and more.

SCC will introduce new programs such as battery technology, electric and autonomous vehicles, renewable wind and solar energy, high-tech processes and robotics. In addition to providing education and training for students, the college will have a “Make-it Center” lab where students in middle and high school can come in, touch and explore how a 3-D printer works and even operate a robotic arm. An introduction to manufacturing technologies and other skilled trades will be available for students with options to earn associate degrees and certificates. Learning is enhanced by partnerships with local employers like GM. In fact, SCC was selected in February by the American Association of Community Colleges as one of seven colleges to receive grant funding from GM to help grow community college advanced manufacturing programs.

The Center is funded by the Proposition Community College bond program and grants received from the state. “We take seriously our role in helping meet Governor Parson’s priority for workforce development and education,” said Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president. “His focus on projects that meet the needs of business and industry provided the impetus to SCC to develop a business plan for the Center. We appreciate his support in providing additional funding through the American Rescue Plan and the MoExcels Workforce Initiative.” 

For more information, visit www.stchas.edu/propcc or email John D. Wiemann, MHA, at jwiemann@stchas.edu.