A new center for job training and advancement is on its way for St. Louis Community College.
Joe Douglas
-Editor-in-Chief-
A new center for job training and advancement is on its way for St. Louis Community College.
Next summer, students will be able to take classes at the new STLCC Corporate Center to develop their skills and adapt to the ever-changing work force.
“We’re shifting and transforming from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based economy with more focuses on high-tech service industries and occupations,” said Rod Nunn, vice-chancellor of work force and development for STLCC, in a promotional video about the new Corporate Center.
The 149,553-square-foot Corporate Center will have a focus on gearing adult learners from around St. Louis to learn new technologies, improve leadership and teamwork, and develop entrepreneurial skill sets. Degrees, certifications and trainings will be used to make graduates more competitive and valuable in the workplace.
Corporate Center is located near the intersection of I-270 and I-70 in Bridgeton, STLCC capitalizing on its location in heavy business sectors.
“So the beauty of this is we get a chance to serve adult learners, future students based on where they work and not where they live,” Nunn said.
Students and graduates of the center’s programs will also have access to recruiters and employers from local businesses.
Classes will not follow standard per-credit-hour costs. They will be more akin to continuing education classes where the class costs a fee depending on the level of training and what materials are necessary.
“On the demand side of the equation, companies are willing to pay for quality services to help their workers,” Nunn said.
“Secondly, as our mission and the college, is to help individuals access learning outside of the traditional college setting: in the workplace and in the community.”
STLCC is leasing the building to tenants including MedAssets, Hitachi and Zurich Financial Services. BJC Health Care and security at Lambert Airport will also be working closely with STLCC to provide up-to-date training for its employees.
“We’re hoping some of these companies will utilize us for our training needs,” Nunn said. “They have an education provider right on site now, and we know some of these companies will have those needs.”
In addition, the building will also house a multi-function space, breakout rooms, a testing center, computer labs, a reception area and offices. A small business incubator to support the growth of middle-skill STLCC graduates will also be on-site.
The Corporate Center is expected to cost approximately $9.1 million, including purchase price and renovation costs. STLCC plans to use the revenue generated by its tenants to offset the costs.
Throughout the past year, STLCC has undergone numerous cuts to staff and services. In addition, earlier this year Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reduced STLCC’s state funding.
“That leaves our tuition revenue as our sole source of revenue that we control and we can enhance the rate that students pay,” said Carla Chance, vice chancellor for finance and business services, in the video. “But we could also focus on increasing the volume of tuition dollars that we generate, so I think the Corporate Center is just another step in St. Louis Community College’s capacity building.”
Money for the project is coming from STLCC’s Center for Business, Industry and Labor by providing 1/3 of the necessary funds, with the remaining 2/3 coming from STLCC.
Nunn said STLCC has been saving up for the time they would invest in a new facility.
“The Corporate Center is a visionary. It’s about five to 10 years down the road. You also have to understand the demographics and the trends. We see adult degree completion as being very important to the community.”
