Stark State College will close its Barberton satellite center in 2023 as North Canton Community College expands its welding technology facilities on its Akron campus.
The moves will focus Stark State’s Summit County’s activities on the Akron site and end the Barberton satellite, established in 2013.
Stark State’s Board of Trustees approved a design services contract in mid-May, and the $ 1.4 million renovation is expected to be completed in April.
Robyn Steinmetz, Stark State’s director of marketing, said the plans call for the renovation of an existing 5,600-square-foot building and a 1,962-square-foot extension.
The community satellite on Norton Avenue in Barberton primarily offers sweat-related courses and laboratories. It has 17 welding booths that will be relocated to the Akron campus.
Steinmetz said the renovated center will modernize the college’s facilities in an area that is consistently in high demand from students and employers. She said Akron’s welding program currently has 52 students.
“We’re definitely investing heavily because we want to make sure we have the right technology [and provide] what employers want and need, ”she said in a recent interview.
Akron Campus attended approximately 1,200 students in the 2020-2021 academic year. The college is holding an open house on July 14th from 5pm to 7pm to increase enrollment in Akron.
Welding technology is a one-year course that the university offers in a well-paid profession, says Steinmetz.
The Barberton building used by Stark State is owned by the Barberton Community Foundation, which is reviewing its options once the community college retires, said foundation executive director Suzanne T. Allen.
Allen said the building was built as an armory, making the 16,500-square-foot structure ideal for heavy equipment. She said the foundation hopes to attract another educational institution if Stark State leaves.
“There might be other education providers interested in getting a foothold in Barberton,” she said.
Another option is a light industry manufacturer, but marketing the structure is still in its infancy, she said.
Barberton City Councilor Shaun “Rocky” Jaber said Sunday that the structure is in his township and in an area where a major online auction company, Copart Inc., has moved.
“Hopefully future companies will see changes in the region [with] rezoning and some other companies will take advantage of this and move to Barberton, “Jaber said.
Allen said the satellite served mostly students on the Four Cities Compact, which includes Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth and Copley high schools. The pact enables the districts to share the resources of vocational training.
On-site courses were also offered to adults who wanted to develop new skills.
She said the foundation and Stark State are still debating the timing of community college’s departure.
“You were a great tenant,” she says. “You have done a great job here and served many [students]. “
Welding is just one of many programs offered by the community college but is repeatedly needed by employers, Steinmetz said.
“This is definitely a job market that is in [high] Demand, ”she said. “It always is.”
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/stark-state-college-to-expand-in-akron-close-barberton-satellite/
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