Western Colorado Community College in Grand Junction has received a grant to build a mobile learning lab focused on welding and commercial driving.

The Colorado Community College System and Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade awarded the $1.1 million grant through the Skill Advance Colorado Mobile Learning Lab Assistance Program.

“Receiving this grant reinforces that continued focus on career and technical education is more important than ever when it comes to meeting our region’s workforce needs,” said Brigitte Sundermann, vice president of community college affairs at Colorado Mesa University, of which WCCC is a division.

“This grant enables us to deliver high-quality training, equip the current workforce with additional skills pertaining to their industry as well as help them advance in their careers,” Sundermann said.

The mobile learning lab will support welding and commercial driver license training programs at WCCC. Mobile learning labs offer on-site workforce education at business locations

The lab will be the second of its kind at WCCC. Thanks to a gift from the Sturm Family and ANB Bank in 2019, WCCC developed a mobile learning lab offering mechatronics courses to high school students, adult learners and employees enrolled in company training

Western Colorado Community College offers 30 certificate and associate degree programs, concurrent enrollment to high school students and noncredit professional and personal development courses. For more information, visit the website at www.coloradomesa.edu/wccc.