Fueling the Trades
Pima Community College Unveils New Building & Construction Technology Center
By Loni Nannini
Pima Community College continues its innovative approach to workforce solutions, economic investment and dedication to the region’s future with its newly renovated and expanded Building & Construction Technology Center.
“This new center represents our commitment to meeting the growing workforce needs of our region. Students won’t just learn about construction — they’ll gain real, hands-on experience using industry-standard tools and technology under the guidance of experienced professionals,” said PCC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Nasse.
The 25,000-square-foot center, which opened in April, is located at the Downtown Campus for Applied Technology at 1255 N. Stone Ave.
It marks the culmination of the vision launched in 2017 for six PCC Centers of Excellence: Applied Technology; Arts; Aviation Technology; Health Professions; Hospitality and Culinary Arts; and Information Technology & Cybersecurity.
“It is really gratifying to see something go from an idea to a vision to a plan to a brick and mortar building that we can step inside and touch and feel. . .this is about honoring people who choose to practice the crafts that create the buildings we enjoy every day,” said Amanda Abens, PCC assistant vice chancellor for workforce development.
The facility will supply cutting-edge equipment and training programs in a wide range of crafts essential to the building and construction industries, including masonry, carpentry, CORE/safety, electrical, heavy equipment, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing and refrigeration.
PCC is one of a limited number of institutions offering comprehensive training in commercial and industrial HVAC and refrigeration.
A unique aspect of the center is the real-world training environment and lab space— including outdoor labs with scaffolding and cranes—provided to students, said John Gerard, PCC department chair for building and construction trades.
The lab spaces include commercial and residential bathrooms and laundry rooms; maker spaces for woodworking and cabinet making; bays with residential and commercial electrical wiring trainers; a large room for residential and industrial HVAC training; computers simulators for heavy equipment operations, and more.
Gerard said the state-of-the-art equipment provides comprehensive training in construction, repair and troubleshooting for the different areas of study, all of which begin with prerequisite core safety courses that are certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
By early 2027, PCC will offer construction and skilled trade industry-specific credentials on eight different certification tracks through partnerships with National Coalition of Certification Centers, or NC3.
“Our big investment as a college is in the physical equipment. . .all of this awesome equipment is what you would have if you were. . .in a field in the industry,” Gerard said.
“We can also certify people in the industry when they are already working. We are not just training students but also pulling the industry back in and adding to their skill set and that kind of merges to give those pipelines we need to get people out there.”
The project, made possible by more than $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Funding and supported by the late U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva and revenue bonds, is also a reflection of the support of numerous visionary partners, said Nasse.
He also credits the Connie Hillman Family Foundation; Arizona Construction Trades; Arizona Builders Alliance; the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association; Armstrong McDonald Foundation and many other entities for bringing the project to fruition.
“I often say that the ‘P’ in Pima stands for partnership and we rely on our partners in so many ways,” said Nasse.
The upgraded center underscores a commitment to workforce development and working together to address the shortage of skilled tradesmen impacting Arizona and the nation, according to Tim Bee, VP for government and community Relations at ABA.
“We don’t have enough skilled workers. Nationally, the construction industry needs about 350,000 new workers this year alone to keep up,” said Bee. “Right here in Arizona, contractors are struggling to hire and projects are being delayed. The issue isn’t whether opportunity exists, the issue is whether we are preparing enough people to step into it.”
The impending retirement of aging tradesmen and years of stigma about entering the trades have also fueled the nationwide shortage. Bee said PCC’s new facility shows renewed appreciation for those who build homes, roads and buildings where people learn, work and live.
“The truth is that construction trades offer something truly valuable: good paying careers, long-term stability and the chance to build something real,” Bee said.
Photo courtesy Pima Community College
