SCC to Build Regional Workforce Innovation Center

Published: 10/19/2023

SCC is expanding west, with its new campus coming to St. Charles County at the corner of Interstate Drive and Schaper Road in Wentzville.

The first building on the 55-acre campus will be the Regional Workforce Innovation Center. This will be the premier technical training and education center in the area.

The Center will be future-focused on innovation and meeting the needs of business and industry.  It will prepare the region’s workforce for jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, robotics, sustainable energy, healthcare and more.

SCC will introduce new programs in advanced manufacturing, including battery technology, electric and autonomous vehicles, renewable wind and solar energy, high-tech processes and robotics. In addition to providing education and training for students, the college will have a “Make-it Center” lab where students in middle and high school can explore new technology such as how a 3-D printer works and even operate a robotic arm. An introduction to advanced manufacturing technologies and other skilled trades will be available for students with options to earn associate degrees and certificates. Learning is enhanced by partnerships with local employers like GM. In fact, SCC was selected in February by the American Association of Community Colleges as one of seven colleges to receive grant funding from GM to help grow community college advanced manufacturing programs.

The Regional Workforce Innovation Center is funded primarily by the state through the American Rescue Plan Act funds and the MoExcels Workforce Initiative. “We take seriously our role in helping meet Governor Parson’s priority for workforce development and education,” said Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president. “His focus on projects that meet the needs of business and industry provided the impetus to SCC to develop a business plan for the Center. We appreciate his support in providing additional funding through the American Rescue Plan and the MoExcels Workforce Initiative.” 

For more information, email John D. Wiemann, MHA, SCC VP for Workforce & Strategic Initiatives, at jwiemann@stchas.edu.