ELKO — Great Basin College announces the grand opening of its newly expanded welding facility, a milestone made possible with support from Nevada Gold Mines, Greater Nevada Credit Union and other generous donors.
Construction on the Nevada Gold Mines Welding Technology Lab at GBC began in April of 2023 and will be completed in time to welcome students for the Fall 2024 semester.
The grand opening for the facility was held on Aug. 22, at Great Basin College’s Elko Campus. GBC staff, faculty, and representatives from NGM and GNCU were joined by industry partners and the community to celebrate with a ribbon cutting and tours of the new facility.
“The generous contributions from our donors have not only enhanced our student facilities but have also provided state-of-the-art equipment to train a more skilled and capable workforce,” said GBC Interim President, Dr. Amber Donnelli. “This expansion significantly increases our capacity to educate and empower more GBC students with the advanced training needed to meet the demands of our growing industries and drive future growth and innovation.”
NGM provided the lead gift, investing in the project after recognizing there was a significant workforce need for more welders in Nevada. GBC also received a grant from the Greater Nevada Credit Union Live Greater Grants program, which aims to address community needs by promoting sustainability and enhancing social well-being.
GBC has operated a very successful welding program serving students for over 20 years and its welding lab needed major improvements. It was also determined that the facility was far too small to accommodate student interest and the growing needs of our area.
“Great Basin College has created a state-of-the-art facility where students can gain the technical expertise and practical skills needed to pursue meaningful careers in Nevada’s growing industries like mining and manufacturing. At Greater Nevada Credit Union, we’re committed to supporting both new graduates and lifelong learners, and we’re excited to see how this lab will help them build their futures right here in the Silver State,” said Danny DeLaRosa, President and CEO of GNCU.
The expansion and refurbishment to the existing building increased the welding shop and classroom space by 4,500 square feet and doubled student capacity and added classroom space for formal classes and contract training.
The project also introduced ADA compliant welding bays for accessibility to more students. This was a public works project coordinated with the Nevada System of higher Education (NSHE) and GBC’s donors.