As guests gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Pima Community College’s newly renovated Building and Construction Technology facility at downtown campus, there was a shared sense of excitement buzzing in the room. Every guest was here to celebrate opportunity, workforce development, and the students who will one day shape Southern Arizona’s skylines, neighborhoods, and communities.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Greg Wilson, Dean of Applied Technology, who introduced the significance of the day and the vision behind the renovated facility. Standing in a space designed specifically for hands-on learning, it was easy to see that this was not simply an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in people.
Amanda Abens, Pima Community College’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development, spoke to the importance of preparing students for careers that are essential to the growth of our region. Workforce development is about creating pathways to stability, upward mobility, and long-term success for students and their families.
In Southern Arizona, industries like construction and skilled trades continue to grow, and with that growth comes a need for trained, talented professionals who are ready to lead. This 25,000 square foot facility helps meet that need by giving students the tools, technology, and real-world experience necessary to step confidently into the workforce.
Tim Bee, Vice President of the Southern Arizona Builders Alliance, reinforced the strong connection between education and industry. Partnerships like these ensure that students are not only learning the fundamentals in the classroom, but are also gaining skills that directly align with employer needs and workforce demands.
John Gerard, Department Head of Building and Construction Technology, brought the conversation back to the heart of it all, the students.
He shared stories and reflections that highlighted just how life-changing this program can be. For many students, Building and Construction Technology is more than a certificate or degree pathway. It is a second chance, a new beginning, and a tangible way to build a better future for themselves and their families. Through student voices and experiences, the room was reminded that education in the skilled trades creates something powerful, confidence, purpose, independence and possibility.
Chancellor Jeffrey Nasse closed the ceremony by reflecting on Pima’s commitment to student success and community impact. Spaces like this one are a reflection of that mission, where innovation meets access, and where education directly strengthens the workforce and the region as a whole.
As the ribbon was officially cut, applause filled the room, but perhaps the most meaningful part came afterward, with tours of the new facility led by faculty. Guests walked through classrooms and training spaces, seeing firsthand where students will learn, practice, and prepare for careers that quite literally build our community.
A renovated, accessible building matters, but what happens inside them matters even more.
And in this new Building and Construction Technology facility, the foundation being built is far greater than concrete and steel, it is the foundation of futures.
To watch the ceremony click here
If you’d like to find out how you can keep this facility and the program to industry standards, click here
