LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Replacing the former Business Education Building, the Wanek Center of Innovation at Western Technical College opened on August 19th.
The center was renovated into a modern hub for robotics, manufacturing, and automation education.
Associate dean of integrated technology Mark Moulton says students have appreciated the new benefits and opportunities that come with the state-of-the-art equipment.
“The amount of technology we have in here is exciting. They’re really excited to work with it and to move through the new technology, as well as the new curriculum that we have developed. It’s a state-of-the-art situation that we’ve built, and a state-of-the-art building that they can work in,” says Moulton.
K-12 pathways liaison Austin Lee says the new building has also provided additional opportunities for middle and high school students to see and interact with the new equipment.
“They have 3D printers and maybe some of the equipment at their school, but when it comes to the different types of advanced equipment like the higher run 3D printers and CNC equipment that we have, they generally are pretty amazed by it,” says Lee.
Lee adding that in the center’s first month, more than 400 young students have been able to take part in visits. He hopes that this will provide those students early benefits that will help them in the future.
“We serve a lot of districts that either have very minimal or no advanced manufacturing capabilities within their districts for one reason or another. We are providing an opportunity and a space to come and utilize that type of equipment to gain those skill sets that our local industry is demanding that their workers come in with,” says Lee.
Director of business and industry services Angie Martin says in the past month, many local businesses have also benefitted from seeing the center’s new equipment.
“Having this facility here gives them a place where they can come and see it with hands-on opportunities to learn that you have a resource here that can help you. It can help you learn. It can help your employees learn. And it can position you better for the future,” says Martin.
College officials say the center is expected to serve more than 1,000 students each year through credentialed programs, K-12 partnerships, and industry-focused events.