Career Academy On the Horizon

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Published on July 7 2017 2:35 pm
Last Updated on July 7 2017 2:35 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(JEFF FRITCHTNITCH TALKS WITH A GUEST AT THE JULY FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON)

It's not clear whether dollars might be in the new fiscal year budget for the Effingham Regional Career Academy, but classes are still ready to go for the coming school year.

The Academy has been in the formative stages in recent years. Money hasn't been forthcoming for the Academy facility to be constructed next to the Lake Land Kluthe Center, but the proponents of the Academy haven't let that stop them. Courses will instead be offered at school buildings in the county. The courses will be similar to the CTEC program that has taught building trades and to welding courses that have helped train people for jobs available in Effingham County.

The Academy will also be open not just to high schoolers, but to adults.

Altamont Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch addressed the Academy when speaking at the Chamber First Friday Luncheon at the Thelma Keller Convention Center. He said the matter of students and adults training together shouldn't be of concern, noting that many students are taking classes on campus at Lake Land alongside adult learners.

Fritchtnitch said the Academy is a collaborative effort involving a braintrust of not just educators but members of the business community. He said that will enable the educators to know the courses they're offering will benefit business and industry and the labor force.

As to the Academy building, plans are to construct a 36,000 square foot facility at a cost of $12 million. The project would take 14-16 months to complete. 

The building would also benefit Lake Land since it would enable the college to offer complete courses of studies in the sciences here since "wet labs' would be part of the project.

Fritchtnitch acknowledged that the project will be "under the microscope" of others wanting to measure the success of the effort, but said, "We don't mind that!"