Lone Star College-North Harris will hold a groundbreaking for its new Construction and Skilled Trades Technology Center on Wednesday, July 13 at 10 a.m., 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, Houston, TX 77073.
Funding of the approximately $19.2 million project comes from the $485 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2014. This state-of-the-art facility, designed by PBK Architects, Houston, will serve as a building archetype for career and technology education especially in the fields of HVAC-R, pipefitting, field services technology and electrical technology. LSC-North Harris is considered a leader in skilled trades vocations, offering students numerous pathways to earn first or second-level certificates or an Associate of Applied Science degree.
“Our 55,000-square-foot-facility, due to open in fall 2017, will include six classrooms dedicated to supporting technology-based course offerings; lab space totaling 14,800-square-feet, with 8,000-square-feet devoted to the HVAC-R program; and a 4,200-square-foot workforce conference center which will allow the college to host focused job fairs and industry partners,” said Dr. Gerald Napoles, LSC-North Harris president.
Michael Burns, dean of Career and Applied Technology at LSC-North Harris stated, “The center will have a mix of full-time and adjunct faculty on staff, so we will be able to offer classes during the day, evenings and weekends to meet the demands of our students, many of whom are juggling both work and school, while also meeting industry demands for skilled workers.”
Napoles added, “We have worked with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), which is an organization nationally recognized for coordinating the development of partnerships between industry and educational institutions. Not only will this building enhance the teaching and training of career and technical skills that are needed in today’s economy, but it will allow us to continue to provide highly skilled employees to help our local economy.”
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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