New Philadelphia, OH (March 4, 2019) – Buckeye Career Center is increasing its footprint on career and technical education with the addition of a new Energy Operations and Utility Lineworker training facility.
Groundbreaking on the 15,000 square feet building, on the northeast side of campus, is expected to take place the first week of March 2019. The anticipated completion date is March 2020 with the building open to students in the fall of 2020.
The facility will house the high school Energy Operations program, which enrolls nearly 90 students each year, in addition to high school Natural Resources, Adult Education EMS/Fire Safety programs, the Adult Education Utility Lineworker program, and new for the 2020 school year will be a high school Utility Lineworker program.
According to Buckeye Career Center Superintendent Bob Alsept, the project is due to the continued demand for qualified workers. “The oil and gas industry has an increased need but all sectors are looking for trained employees. Helping to prepare new employees and replace retiring workers is vital to what we do for all fields of employment and this new building will help us in that mission,” said Alsept.
The addition will allow Buckeye Career Center to again provide a permanent home for the Adult Education EMS/Fire Safety programs, which have temporarily been housed in the former New Philadelphia Fire Department.
“Many local agencies are looking to hire both full and part-time safety workers. This move will benefit high school and adult students as we’ll be able to offer more industry credentials, such as CPR/First Aid on-site,” said BCC Curriculum, Instruction, and Adult Education Director Frank Polen.
The building will feature four high-bay labs, four classrooms, and one – 65 feet tall indoor lineworker training facility, complete with six climbing poles. Tuscon Inc. will provide civil construction and Benchmark Construction will serve as the general contractor for the brick and metal-sided structure, both submitting the lowest bids for the project.
BCC Natural Resources students worked this fall to clear trees from the construction site and Adult Education Heavy Equipment/CDL A Operator students helped prepare the ground for construction. “We are pleased to be working with local companies who have a local feel for the workforce, including employing former Buckeye Career Center students. This will expand the parking area as well, as we complete our five-year plan of projects,” said Alsept.
BCC will also maintain the current outdoor lineworker training facility. Updates and photos of the project will be available on the Buckeye Career Center social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
