Episode 46: Advanced Technology Center

Wake Tech is celebrating more growth at its forward-thinking Wake Tech East location. The final steel beam was placed atop the state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center. The "topping out" ceremony recognized the builders and contractors and marked a significant milestone in the construction of the $60 million, 80,000-square-foot facility, which will be home to the college's engineering and biotechnology degree programs when it opens for students next year.

After the ceremony, Dr. Scott Ralls invited Chuck Scott, Wake Tech's new vice president of facilities, to the podcast to talk more about the Advanced Technology Center and share what it means for our students, our communities and Wake County.

When completed, the Advanced Technology Center will be a hub for the college's programs and partnerships to support advanced manufacturing. It will feature a 10,000-square-foot biopharmaceutical simulated work environment, state-of-the art labs with intelligent automation, robotics, mechatronics and microelectronics, and a large indoor/outdoor makerspace for student collaboration. The building will also include space for university partner East Carolina University to offer its Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree program.

The Advanced Technology Center will add to the programs at Wake Tech East providing educational opportunities for residents of the fast-growing eastern part of Wake County. In addition, a unique Fire and Rescue Training Center with multi-story fire and climbing towers is under construction and will train new and seasoned firefighters from across the Triangle and beyond for advanced fire and rescue techniques. It is also scheduled to open in 2026.