Central Community College opens new welding facility in Grand Island
The 12,500-square-foot, $5.75 million building expands the program and modernizes training for students
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Central Community College is unveiling a new $5.75 million welding technology facility on its Grand Island campus, completing nearly four years of planning and development.
The 12,500-square-foot building was designed specifically for welding instruction and significantly expands the program’s capacity and technology.
The facility includes 48 multi-process welding booths, 16 oxy-acetylene stations, two classrooms and a dedicated grinding room.
College leaders and instructors worked closely with architects to design a space tailored to the program’s needs — replacing aging equipment and improving safety, ventilation and workflow.
CCC welding instructor John Wilms says the goal was to ensure students train on the same modern equipment used in today’s workforce.
“The industry isn’t using old, outdated equipment anymore,” said Wilms. “They’re using top-of-the-line machines. So it’s important that we teach our students all the new technology that’s out there and give them the best opportunity to get a very good job when they leave here.”
The new lab increases capacity from just two primary welding machines to 48 welders capable of handling multiple processes.
“Some of our equipment was from 1997,” Wilms said. “There’s a lot that’s changed since then. Now students can see the information right on the machine and understand exactly what they’re doing — not just make a good-looking weld, but make a good weld.”
The program serves approximately 60 dual-credit high school students from Grand Island Senior High and Northwest, along with around 50 adult students.
Classes run throughout the day and into the evening, with five instructors staffing the program.
Additional equipment, including a plasma cutting table and sub-arc welding machine, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Wilms said the investment reflects strong support from the college and community and positions students to enter a workforce that continues to demand skilled trades.