MATC Opens New Auto Tech Center

Nov. 6, 2019

With its new automotive headquarters, this technical college is making big investments in industry training and education.

Nov. 6, 2019—The Milwaukee Area Technical College celebrated the opening of the new Al Hurvis/PEAK Transportation Center late last month.

The education center will house the school's automotive lab and high-tech auto programs, as well as the school's RevUp program. The latter is a grant-funded program at the school that aims to boost support for automotive industry jobs.

The school has adopted a quick lube program to bolster its automotive offerings. In "Why These Regional Schools Added Quick Lube Courses," NOLN explored the importance of quick lube service coursework within the automotive education environment. MATC was one of the featured schools.

The new center is located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisc., and includes a 7,400-square-foot auto lab, which has seven auto repair bays, one analyzer bay and one wash/detailing bay, according to a press release. The center stands in repurposed space that had been an under-utilized auditorium.

Private donors have ponied up $3.23 million to support RevUp, according to the release.

Steve Herro, the project manager for RevUp, says that they have a big year ahead. They've launched an after-school automotive program with high school students in the local Boys and Girls Club and they plan to offer free safety inspections to those who have trouble affording service.

Plans are under way for an automotive detailing course, and Herro says that the express maintenance course will be offered at the new center.