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Kirkwood’s Newest Regional Training Center Now Open

By July 16, 2013January 9th, 2019No Comments

The Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center

Semi trucks, fire training and safety programs all transfer to new location

Not only has Kirkwood found a unique way to align with workforce needs in the Creative Corridor, the forward-focused college repurposed a historic Cedar Rapids building, saving the structure from sitting empty.

The new Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center opened in July and already inaugural classes in transportation and safety have begun. Cedar Rapids locals have probably noticed the Kirkwood semi trucks and new fire training building near 101 50th Avenue SW, the former location of Midland Forge. “This newly remodeled facility expanded our capacity and helps us provide better quality instruction, which, in turn, extended our employer partner base,” said Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich. “The number of employers and depth of training they require necessitated this state-of-the-art facility.”

Kirkwood programs and services now at the new location include transportation and logistics, fire, safety (OSHA training), technical water/wastewater, non-credit industrial technology, and non-credit chemistry and technology labs.

“Transportation is one of the fastest growing occupations in the region,” said Amy Lasack, senior director of corporate training for Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services. “Plus, the demand for fire, safety training and EMS/EMT programs has risen considerably in recent years. The new training center will help us greatly expand our offerings and corporate partners, get more people into high demand training programs and, eventually, into great careers in the Corridor.”

Midland Forge closed in December 2009 after 66 years in Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood purchased the shuttered building in 2011 and invested in remodeling and improvements, as well as thoughtful environmentally-conscious retrofitting. The former truck driving range at Kirkwood will eventually become green space and a hands-on training area for students in the Golf Course/Athletic Turfgrass Management program.

A grand opening is planned at the Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center later this fall. The facility also is available to rent for meetings, corporate training and industrial training.