Piggott High School/BRTC CTC students (L to R): Lance Potts, Alex Reed, Aaron Mauldin, and Manuel Bare
Black River Technical College (BRTC) held a sneak peek of The Armory @ BRTC August 1 allowing students and their families a first look at the satellite campus, located at 715 East Main in Piggott.
“We’re excited to give residents of Clay County a sneak peek at the new opportunities available to their young scholars this year,” said BRTC president Martin Eggensperger. “Our state leaders and industry partners have helped BRTC create a one-of-a-kind integrated technical learning center. Transforming lives and enhancing the community is more than our mission; it’s our passion!”
Approximately 75 people toured the state-of-the-art facility that houses a cutting edge Hytrol conveyor system, ABB robots, and a large welding lab.
The Armory is a career and technical center (CTC), the only one in Clay County, offering certification opportunities to area high school students who want to fast track to a high-wage, high-demand job straight out of high school. However, if a day time class enrollment isn’t full, there may be seats available for adults in the community who want to change their career or earn certifications.
The facility will be used for workforce training, both introductory and advanced. Classes in the evenings and during weekends will be available to the public as well as students.
Programs offered will be welding, industrial maintenance/automation, industrial electricity, and robotics automation focused on distribution and logistics.
The Armory @ BRTC would not be possible without the donations and leg work of local community leaders, including Piggott School District Superintendent Freddie Bowen. The Arkansas Department of Education provided a $350,000 grant to construct a welding lab classroom as well as purchase equipment. The Arkansas Office of Skills Development has invested $2.383 million thus far for renovations of the armory, welding smoke exhaust systems, engineering, installation, a forklift, electrical trainers, instructional supplies, and robotic/conveyor equipment. Additional grant funding has equaled $50,700. The City of Piggott donated labor and materials to install a three-phase transformer.
BRTC has partnered with Fidus Global, Greenbrier, and Hytrol to provide the highest quality training for students and individuals in electricity, robotics, industrial automation, controls, and welding. Fidus Global utilized its business partnerships to help BRTC obtain top of the line, current robotics and automation equipment at a discounted rate. Hytrol has provided insight and resources developing and implementing a sophisticated conveyor system so students/trainees can reap the benefits of cutting-edge training. Greenbrier has committed to providing human resources in the form of welding teachers and industry knowledge to help BRTC curriculum stay on top.
For more information about The Armory @ BRTC or the CTC program, contact director of career, technical, and concurrent education Darenda Kersey at (8) 248-4184 or darenda.kersey@blackrivertech.edu.
BRTC Director Career, Technical, and Concurrent Education Darenda Kersey and BRTC Admissions Counselor Erin Kerley-Mathews visit with prospective students at The Armory @ BRTC sneak peek
BRTC VP of Academics Brad Baine (left) shows Marmaduke School District Superintendent Keith Richey and his wife around The Armory @ BRTC during the sneak peek
Piggott School District Superintendent Freddie Bowen, BRTC VP of Academic Affairs Brad Baine, and BRTC President Martin Eggensperger at The Armory @ BRTC sneak peek
BRTC President Martin Eggensperger and Arkansas State Representative for District 1 Jeremy Wooldridge