Public invited to tour Nicolet College's new, state-of-the-art manufacturing labs and classrooms April 13

 The newly remodeled manufacturing labs and classrooms at Nicolet College will be on full display during a public open house of the new facility in the Birchwoods Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. 

     The $2.2 million upgrade has created a state-of-the-art training facility for students in Nicolet’s Welding, Electromechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Industrial Electronics Technician, and Industrial Mechanical Technician. 

     The college will also launch a new Metal Fabrication program this spring followed this coming summer with a new Forestry Maintenance program, both of which will also be housed in the Birchwoods Center. 

     “It’s critical for the college to stay on the leading edge of technology so our graduates can make that seamless transition into the workforce,” said Jeff Labs, dean of Trade, Industry and Apprenticeships at Nicolet. 

     “This large-scale remodel of the Birchwoods Center will help them do exactly that. The skills students will learn are precisely what they’ll need to launch successful careers in a variety of industries and are also what area manufacturers need to be productive, efficient and profitable.” 

     At 5:15 p.m., guest speaker Matthew Kircher will share his experience and insights of manufacturing’s economic impact on society, the emerging state of Industry 4.0, and the future of manufacturing. Kirchner is President of LAB Midwest and host of the TechEd Podcast. 

     For more information about Nicolet’s manufacturing programs, visit nicoletcollege.edu or call the college at (715) 365-4493. 

     Nicolet College is located one mile south of Rhinelander just off of Hwy. G. 

Photo cutline: Jeff Labs, right, dean of Trade, Industry and Apprenticeships at Nicolet, gives Niina Baum from Nicolet’s Marketing Department a sneak peek at the new manufacturing training lab in the Birchwoods Center. The open house for the public is 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.