Manufacturing and Technology Center
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Manufacturing and Technology Center at Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College (ECC) is developing a new, 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) designed to advance workforce development and meet the needs of local employers. This cutting-edge facility will expand ECC’s academic programs in manufacturing, engineering, and technology while addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled workers.
Funded by $28.5 million in state investment, the MTC will help close the middle-skills labor gap by providing hands-on education, industry-recognized training, and real-world learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and related fields.
More than just a learning space, the MTC will serve as a regional collaboration hub, connecting students, educators, and industry partners to strengthen the local workforce pipeline. Through this partnership-driven approach, ECC continues its mission to prepare students for high-demand, high-paying careers while fueling economic growth in the greater Elgin area.
Watch the Latest MTC Construction Update
Watch our latest video for an inside look at the progress of the Manufacturing and Technology Center construction project. Discover what’s new for 2025, what’s coming next, and how everything is taking shape!
For media inquiries:
Media Relations Office
In-demand Careers and Programs
Emerging technologies such as automation, digitization, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence highlight the growing demand for skilled workers. These technologies create critical roles that require a highly trained workforce. As a result, manufacturers are exploring innovative approaches to educate, train, upskill, and reskill workers to maintain competitiveness.
In-demand careers at the MTC will include:
- Welders and Fabricators
- Machinists, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operators, and Programmers
- Maintenance Technicians
- Clean Energy Workers
The programs planned to occupy the building include:
- IST Maintenance Technology
- Industrial Manufacturing Technology
- Heating, Vent, A/C, & Refrigeration / Energy Management
- Welding
The new facility will offer programs in maintenance technology, industrial manufacturing, HVAC-R, energy management, and welding. It reflects a commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers in manufacturing and technology. The facility will also offer new and enhanced programs in robotics, renewable energy, pipe welding, industrial process control, and more. The MTC will expand Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship opportunities, giving employers access to a larger talent pool. It will also create pathways to advanced manufacturing careers for K-12 students.
MTC Gallery
The College is dedicated to academic excellence, improving its manufacturing technology and STEM curriculum, and enhancing state-of-the-art classrooms and career and technical programs like the ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center. Although construction has not yet started, here is a sneak peek of the planned design for outside and inside spaces.
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The new Manufacturing and Technology Center on McLean
The Manufacturing and Technology Center at ECC secured a $28.5 million state investment to meet the rising demand for middle-skill education. Our efforts focus on supporting the growth of the Greater Elgin area by offering specialized training at the community college level, addressing the shortage of middle-skill labor.
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Grant Money Makes it Possible
ECC's Energy Management program is creating a hands-on learning lab featuring solar PV panels, inverters, cables, and mounting structures, funded by a $39,150 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). The project includes constructing a functional solar array using repurposed shipping containers.
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Local Partnerships with Government and Business
At ECC, students gain hands-on experience in specialized facilities, equipping them for confident career beginnings. We provide training that goes beyond a high school diploma, specifically designed for careers that don’t require a Bachelor’s degree. Through MTC, we’re expanding Department of Labor apprenticeships, giving local employers access to a larger pool of skilled workers and creating clear pathways to advanced manufacturing careers for K-12 students in District 509. Additionally, many employers rely on ECC to reskill or upskill their employees in mechatronics, ensuring their workforce stays competitive.
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Spaces for Student Activities and Lounges
This 150,000-square-foot facility nearly doubles the current space and offers a modern learning environment for manufacturing. It features advanced amenities such as improved ventilation, integrated robotics, labs, and classrooms. In contrast, ECC’s current labs in Building O occupy 17,000 square feet, while the new center will cover 59,000 square feet. Building O currently has 10 classrooms and eight large instructional labs. The MTC will include 13 classrooms, nine large instructional labs, and 11 medium-sized instructional labs.
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Addressing the Middle-Skills Lab
Students can earn a certificate in Industrial Maintenance Technology or Automated Electronic Systems, or they can continue their studies to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Integrated Systems Technology/Maintenance Technology. With 1 in 6 Elginites employed by Elgin-based manufacturing firms, these programs provide vital skills that meet strong local industry demand.
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Better Learning Spaces for Students
The Industrial Manufacturing Technology program is tailored for a contemporary learning environment. It offers education and training to manufacturing employers in the Greater Elgin area, addressing the challenge of filling the middle-skills labor gap. ECC will provide associate degrees, on-the-job training, employer collaborations, certificates, and apprenticeships.
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Help Make Graduates Job-Ready
After the building's completion, ECC will expand its access to innovative programs, reaching a broader student audience. We will provide courses such as Robotics and Automation, Renewable Energy, MIG, GMAW, SMAW, Pipe Welding, and Industrial Process Control, all designed to align with industry standards. These programs equip graduates to start making meaningful contributions to their careers right away.
ECC in the News
Construction Progress Continues with ECC's Manufacturing and Technology Center: Video
Construction is officially underway on ECC’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center—a significant investment in our future and a reflection of our commitment to innovation, hands-on learning, and regional economic development. As the building begins to rise, we’re excited to share progress updates and invite the community to be part of this transformative journey. Watch the latest video update!
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4 In-Demand Manufacturing Careers to Consider for Your Future
The manufacturing industry is a highly technical, innovative field offering rewarding careers with competitive salaries. As industries adapt to new challenges and opportunities, the demand for skilled professionals in manufacturing is higher than ever.
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Demolition Signals Next Step in Development of Elgin Community College’s New MTC
Demolition of “D Hang Out” Signals Next Step in Development of Elgin Community College’s New Manufacturing and Technology Center
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ECC Breaks Ground on New 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center
On Wednesday, September 18, Elgin Community College (ECC) held a groundbreaking ceremony at 1600 Spartan Drive for its new two-story, 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC). This state-of-the-art facility will be the second-largest public community college manufacturing center in Illinois and will provide expanded programs in manufacturing, technology, and other critical fields.
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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi presents ECC with $936,000 for new program
Elgin Community College’s new manufacturing center got a boost in funding on Thursday. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi presented the college with $936,000 in federal funding for the mechatronics and automation program, one of several new programs to be housed in the $55 million facility planned for 2024.
Powerful Partnerships
ECC has forged partnerships with local manufacturing firms, the Elgin Development Group, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, the Valley Industrial Association, and local WIOA Boards to stay connected and informed about industry needs. Through these collaborations, the college is committed to developing inclusive programming that prioritizes equity for underserved communities in Elgin, including justice-impacted individuals, women, BIPOC individuals, and other marginalized groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the manufacturing sector.
Grand Opening Fall 2026
Contact
Career and Technical Education Programs
Building O, Room O125
847-214-7900
mtcinquiries@elgin.edu
Take an Interactive Tour
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