Waubonsee Community College will break ground for its new Technical Education Center on April 23.

The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the south end of the college’s Sugar Grove campus.

The project represents a significant milestone for the college, said Waubonsee President Brian Knetl.

“The building we’re constructing is a clear demonstration of Waubonsee’s commitment to providing students with the latest technology, hands-on experience, and training to prepare them for high-skill, high-demand, and high-wage careers in Illinois and beyond,” he said.

Upon completion in fall 2025, the 100,000-square-foot building will house Waubonsee’s Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, and Welding Technology programs. The plans include larger, dedicated labs with specialized equipment to increase enrollment capacities and allow additional program growth in diesel technology, electric vehicles, welding fabrication, and robotic welding.

“What excites me about the new building is having a functional shop that will allow us to train students in the way that they’re going to be expected to work in the field today,” said Associate Professor of Automotive Technology Guy Tiberio.

The new center is expected to cost $60 million and will be located near the south entrance of the Sugar Grove campus, visible from Route 47. It will function as a collaboration hub and promote economic development in the region by addressing the high demand but critical labor shortage in these professions, officials said.

Waubonsee recently was chosen among 16 schools to participate in the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) competition. It involves technical and curriculum-based bracket “knockout”-style contests. Its main objective is to highlight the significant shortage of automotive technicians while preparing students to enter the workforce.

To RSVP for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the TEC building, visit waubonsee.edu/TEC.

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