A new $7 million training facility for automotive technicians in Allegan, Michigan, has begun construction, reports WWMT.
The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency’s (ESA) new automotive technician building will come with two 1,700-square-foot classrooms and two 7,000-square-foot workshops where students will perform hands-on work.
Students in the program are instructed in automotive maintenance and light repair, with the goal of gaining ASE certification upon graduation from the program. With the new building, the program will be able to double its capacity from 44 to 88 students and reduce the waitlist times for the 750-800 students that enroll each year.
Allegan Area ESA Associate Director and Principal Rich Okoniewski noted the growing need for high-skilled trade labor in Michigan, and that the new training facility will allow students to easily find work shortly after graduating.
“With the students becoming ASE certified, they are going to be employable right away, and depending upon the position that they get into the auto industry, will have a living wage,” said Okoniewski.
