NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) has been busy.

In the past year, the school has graduated its first class of students from the Construction Tech program and broken ground on its brand new Integrated Design Lab. To help fill the growing need in the construction industry, NWACC introduced its Construction Tech Associates in Applied Science degree. Since introducing the program two years ago, over 100 individuals have signed up as degree-seeking students. The classes are taught by industry professionals that help students network within the construction industry before graduation.

The school’s new Integrated Design Lab building will house the Workforce Development, Communication and Fine Arts, and Business and Computer Science Divisions. The new lab will allow students to complete a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certificate while they pursue their degree. The NCCER certification is a technical certificate that requires coursework in construction, visual arts and engineering. The 35,000-SF space will be built on 20 acres near Arvest Ballpark and Arkansas Children’s Northwest hospital. The facility is set to open in spring 2019.