Nebraska community college is building facility to help address skilled workforce gap
Southeast Community College has begun construction of the $32.4 million Sandhills Global Technology Center on the Lincoln, Neb., campus.
The Beatrice Daily Sun reports that the facility will help the college address the skilled workforce gap in Nebraska.
The building will consist of 75,000 square feet for the Computer Information Technology, Electronic Systems Technology, Biotechnology, and Design & Drafting Technology programs.
Sandhills Global, an information technology company headquartered in Lincoln, has donated $5 million toward construction of the facility.
The community college also received nearly $4.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds. The funds are supporting Southeast’s new Office of Work-based Learning and dedicated lab spaces to provide upskilling, reskilling, and other asymmetrical training opportunities in the information technology industry.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says the facility is indicative of the city’s long-term commitment to equipping students and area residents with life-changing opportunities.
"For our local employers, this new facility will be an opportunity to reskill and upskill their existing workforce,” Baird said. “For students, this is a place where they, too, can break ground. This is a place where they can prepare to enter the fields of health sciences, biotech, manufacturing, electronics, and cybersecurity.”
The architect is BWBR, and the general contractor is Weitz Construction.
The facility is expected to be completed for the fall 2024 semester.
