BRTC/Greenbrier Welding Instructor Steven Kiker instructs two BRTC CTC welding students during the grand opening
Black River Technical College held a grand opening ceremony for its newest satellite campus, BRTC @ the Armory, on Tuesday.
Approximately 125 people showed up to tour the state-of-the-art facility that houses a cutting-edge Hytrol conveyor system, ABB robots, and a large welding lab.
The event began with BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger welcoming attendees to the new facility, and thanking BRTC @ the Armory’s partners and sponsors. “This is a huge step in bringing jobs to Clay County and teaching students the skills they need to thrive in the job market right here at home,” he said.
He then introduced keynote speaker Fidus Global President Aarron Hale. Hale spoke about how the facility will change the lives of the students who attend BRTC @ the Armory, and how he had to leave home to acquire an education in robotics automation. “My family is from the Mounds and Bard area. I am so happy to be a part of bringing this education possibility to Clay County so students can get the education they need right here at home,” Hale said.
Next, BRTC @ the Armory and Piggott High School senior Aaron Mauldin gave a moving testimony about how the BRTC Career and Technical Center (CTC) programs helped to improve his life and how the new facility opens even more new doors for him. “The instructors at BRTC are second to none. In tenth grade, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but with the help of the instructors at BRTC, doors I had never imagined are now wide open,” he said. He went on to say he has found gainful employment through networking while in the CTC program. After listening to guest speakers from Legacy Equipment. He spoke with the speakers about employment. He is now employed as a service technician and is in the John Deere Tech Program.
A ribbon cutting was held by the Piggott Chamber of Commerce, and attendees were allowed to walk through the facility where students demonstrated what they have learned in the welding and industrial electricity CTC programs thus far.
BRTC @ the Armory is located at 775 E. Main in Piggott, Arkansas.
The armory is the only CTC site 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 daytime class enrollment is not full, there are seats available for adults in the community who want to change their careers or earn certifications.
The facility is 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 are welding, industrial maintenance/automation, industrial electricity, and robotics automation focused on distribution and logistics.
BRTC @ the Armory 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 the purchase of equipment. The Arkansas Office of Skills Development invested $2.383 million 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 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 in developing and implementing a sophisticated conveyor system so students and 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 the BRTC curriculum stay on top.
For more information about BRTC @ the Armory or the CTC program, contact the Director of Career, Technical, and Concurrent Education Darenda Kersey at (870) 248-4184 or darenda.kersey@blackrivertech.edu.
Find more photos @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAXXYr
BRTC @ The Armory CTC Industrial Electricity Students: Front row (L to R): Koden Tucker, Scott Wright, Michael Bare, and Kade Johnson Back row (L to R): Manuel Bare, Kyzer Lutrell, and Cage Reed
Kade Johnson, Michael Bare, Scott Wright, and Koden Tucker Back Row (L to R): Cage Reed, Kyzer Littrell, and Manuel Bare
BRTC @ The Armory CTC Welding Students: Front row (L to R): Alex Reed, Ozzy Garcia, Katelynn Louvier, and Vince Sheridan Back row (L to R): Avery Putt, Kayden Reel, Jesus Garcia, Aaron Mauldin, and Mason Dixon
BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger shows Arkansas’ Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers around BRTC @ the Armory
Left to Right: Piggott Mayor Bradley Scheffler, Clay County Judge Mike Patterson, Piggott School District Superintendent Freddie Bowen, BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger, Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, John Boozman’s Field Representative Joshua Mullinax, and Arkansas Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers