April 13 , 2001 - High School Career Facility at Anoka-Hennepin Technical
College Advances - Existing facility gets needed repairs
Contact: Director of Publications and Media Relations
(651) 296-0541 or Fax (651) 0872
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities cleared the way for construction
of a new facility to provide high school students with career training
programs on the Anoka-Hennepin Technical College campus.
This week MnSCU transferred land to Anoka County so that construction
can begin this fall on a three-story building that will be leased by the
Anoka-Hennepin School District. The 54,000 square foot facility will be
home to a new Secondary Technical Education Program for 11th and 12th
grade students who choose to enroll. The Anoka County Board of Commissioners
is funding the STEP facility through $10 million in bonds issued in March.
"This new facility and this educational partnership will be a great asset
to the area," said Anne Weyandt, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College president.
"Students will be able to explore technical careers in a well-equipped
facility with guidance from industry-experienced instructors."
The new building will be used primarily for general education classes
for students enrolled in technical programs. Programs include advanced
automotive, aviation careers, computer-aided electronics, computer networking,
emergency medical, hotel/restaurant/bakery careers, machine trades, media
technology and welding. Most hands-on technical courses will be taught
in labs and shops in the existing Anoka-Hennepin Technical College building.
High school students will, in some cases, be able to receive college credit
for technical education.
The creation of the new facility was authorized by the Minnesota Legislature
along with $12.5 million in capital bonding needed to make essential improvements
to the existing college building. Major repairs to replace the roof, repair
the heating and cooling system, correct building code deficiencies and
demolish obsolete space will begin this spring.
"This community is united in its support for technical education," said
MnSCU Chancellor Morris Anderson. "The synergy between the school district
and Anoka-Hennepin Technical College will make this a solid multi-purpose
campus."
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is the largest provider of
higher education in the state of Minnesota. The system includes 35 state
universities, community colleges, technical colleges and comprehensive
community and technical colleges in 46 Minnesota communities. The system
serves approximately 150,000 students each semester or 216,000 annually
in credit-based courses.
-
