Eastland-Fairfield will break ground on the NextGen Training Center at Fairfield Career Center in mid-September, highlighting a host of improvements being implemented.
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools is gearing up for a new 34,000-square-foot facility named the NextGen Training Center, located at Fairfield Career Center in Carroll. The new facility will feature a state-of-the-art lab for an additional high school Welding program and an adult Broadband Infrastructure Training Program.
In addition to supporting existing and new programming for high school and adult students, the building will also support additional classrooms to provide high-quality academic offerings to high school students who are enrolled at Fairfield Career Center.
“The NextGen Training Center will enable us to welcome an additional 100 students each year,” said Shelley Groves, Superintendent and CEO of Eastand-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools. “This expansion is vital for our community, providing more opportunities to meet the increasing demand of high school students interested in pursuing career and technical education, as well as for adult learners seeking to upskill or transition into new careers. We are proud to work closely with our associate schools and business and industry leaders in the area to ensure students are ready for further education, employment, entrepreneurship, or enlistment.”
The Eastland-Fairfield expansion project, which includes the construction of the NextGen Training Center, program equipment, and additional driveways, will cost approximately $17-18 million. The project will be supported by funds received through the Career and Technical Construction Grant Program, totaling $4 million earmarked to outfit a Welding program at Fairfield Career Center. The remainder of the expansion project, which includes new turning lanes and a new entrance, will be supported by the EFCTS General Fund.
Collaborating with Schorr Architects, Eastland-Fairfield plans to kick off the project this fall, with the new facility set to open for the 2025-26 school year at the Fairfield campus. A groundbreaking event will be held at Fairfield Career Center where the first ceremonial shovels will hit the dirt on Tuesday, September 17. Staff, students, and special guests will be in attendance to commemorate the moment.
Eastland-Fairfield has introduced a series of improvements to the student and staff experience over the previous six months, including the introduction of new high school and adult programs, and additional building renovations at both high school campuses and the district office.
A new one-year, senior-only Teacher Preparation program debuted at Hamilton Township, Teays Valley, and Gahanna Lincoln high schools to connect the next generation of teaching professionals with their desired career paths. It also marked the first EFCTS satellite programs to be housed at Hamilton Twp. and Teays Valley high schools
A second section of high school Firefighting was created at Eastland Career Center based on program demand
In addition to the Broadband Infrastructure Training Program, EFCTS Adult Workforce Development announced that it will begin a new program this Fall called Industrial Automation to help support the evolving manufacturing industry
A 2,000-square-foot expansion of the Fairfield Career Center cafeteria was completed this summer. The addition includes a kitchen overhaul, enabling the school to offer healthier food options to staff and students
Construction of a security vestibule at Fairfield Career Center, aligning with the Eastland campus
Restroom renovations to enhance ADA accessibility at both campuses
Parking lot improvements at ECC and the EFCTS District Office
For more information about Eastland-Fairfield’s 40+ high school and adult programming options, as well as news and notes from the District, please visit www.EastlandFairfield.com.