Learning Center cuts ribbon September 21

Shown in the front row, from left, are Dan Niebauer, instructor, Auto Technology, Huntington County Community Learning Center; Karen Fisher, architect, Barton-Coe-Vilamaa; Allen Karst, instructor, Ivy Tech Community College; Tiffanney Drummond, director, Huntington County Community Learning Center; Chad Daugherty, superintendent, Huntington County Community School Corporation; Brian Murray, instructor, Machine Trades, Huntington County Community Learning Center; Terry Stoffel, instructor, Criminal Justice, Huntington County Community Learning Center and Brad Smith, president, Hagerman Inc. Back row, from left, are Ryan Wall, Tim Allen, Matt Roth, Kevin Yarger, Board of Trustees, Huntington County Community School Corporation and Rief Gilg, principal, Huntington North High School.

HCCSC and the Huntington County Community Learning Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the Learning Center’s expansion project on Tuesday, September 21. The Learning Center opened in 2016 with the dedication ceremony taking place on September 15, 2016.

The expansion adds 20,478 square feet to the Learning Center for a total of 49,784 square feet in all. Included in the expansion is a welding bay and classroom, advanced manufacturing lab and classroom, industrial maintenance classroom and lab, criminal justice classroom and simulation room and remote learning lab. An additional 1,000 square feet of precision machining space, added storage space, safety stations and one general education classroom are also included in the expansion.

Barton-Coe-Vilamaa of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was selected as the architect for the expansion, while Hagerman, Inc., also of Fort Wayne, served as the construction manager. The approved final bid for the construction featured a total cost of $4,156,620.

The Learning Center is a hub for career readiness, job search, workplace certifications and college learning opportunities. The Learning Center’s chief aim is to improve the skills of high school students and adult learners in Huntington County to meet the workforce needs of local industries.

The Learning Center offers many programs to its tenants. Huntington North High School students are able to take automotive, certified nurse aide, criminal justice, emergency medical technician, precision machining and welding courses. With the exception of criminal justice, each course is offered for dual credit. Huntington North students also have access to internship opportunities. Impact Institute offers adult basic education, formerly known as the GED program. Ivy Tech currently offers welding and industrial maintenance courses and has offered CNC machining and various academic courses in the past.

More information about the Learning Center is available by calling (260) 356-2858.