Collin College Breaks Ground on Technical Campus
Local officials broke ground Friday on a 340,000-sq.-ft. technical campus that will facilitate the education of future industry leaders. Situated on a 32-acre site along Highway 121 between Exchange and Alma in Allen, the campus will include an area more than 400 feet long and approximately 90 feet wide exclusively dedicated to the construction trades. Labs for plumbing, electrical, carpentry and safety will be coupled with a 6,000-sq.-ft. “build” lab providing hands on opportunities for students in all programs to work together on various projects.
“What a wonderful morning it was witnessing the Collin College technical campus groundbreaking!” said Dallas BA Past President Jeff Dworkin. “It was great to see Collin College joining with Allen, Plano, Frisco and McKinney ISDs to break ground on the epicenter for educating future leaders in the construction trades. Classes such as the ones that will be housed here are why I am in the home building industry.”
Collin College already has construction management, HVAC and welding programs up and running. Dallas BA Executive Officer Phil Crone chairs Collin College’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee tasked with tailoring the curriculum to industry needs and establishing an employment pipeline from Collin College to Dallas BA members.
“Collin College has made an investment in our industry and the future of the students who participate in these programs,” Crone said. “Now, it is incumbent on the industry to invest our time and expertise to make these programs the best they can be.”
The technical campus is projected to open in the Fall of 2020. Members interested in assisting the new construction management program as a guest lecturer are urged to contact Phil Crone.