Hendrick Center receives Fast Company Magazine recognition
Fast Company magazine recently recognized Wake Tech’s Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology as a finalist for one of its prestigious 2023 Design Awards. Positioned among “Learning Category” nominees, Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh, North Carolina) architecture partner Gensler and its innovative facility received national attention by promoting educational excellence through its design concepts.
Bolstered by a $1 million donation from Hendrick Automotive Group, the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence features a versatile floor plan aimed to help educate with the latest equipment and manufacturer language. More than 240 students attend automotive technology classes every semester.
The facility is a standout, as Gensler incorporated a versatility of design and space, allowing the 100,000 square-foot center to remain flexible when innovation arrives, while still focusing on current industry trends and the most advanced educational workspaces in the Southeast.
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“The Gensler Raleigh office is incredibly proud of this project and the impact it has made on both Wake Tech’s campus and the regional automotive industry,” said Chad Parker, managing director of the Gensler Raleigh office. “The Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence sets a new standard for the future of automotive repair education – the state-of-the-art facility elevates and inspires current students, while serving as the ultimate recruitment tool for the college. We are thrilled that Fast Company recognized this project as one of the best educational designs of 2023, and we’re extremely fortunate to have the support of Hendrick Automotive Group to make this all possible.”
A Feather in Wake Tech’s Cap
This recognition is another feather in the cap for Wake Technical College. The facility is a national showcase for the school’s investment and support to its students and the automotive industry as a whole. The need for service technicians is great industry wide, and this is an opportunity for a game-changing school focused on critical areas with the facilities automotive systems, collision repair labs, computer labs, advanced classrooms and student support.
Through training support from school partners Audi, Ford, General Motors, Subaru, Toyota and Lexus, the curriculum gears itself towards emerging technologies in areas of advanced diagnostics, autonomous vehicles and alternative fuel systems.
“The Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence is without a doubt one of the premier automotive training facilities in the country," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Automotive maintenance and collision repair have changed so drastically, and technicians today need highly specialized skills. We are able to provide the Triangle's many dealerships and service centers with the qualified workforce they need."
Wake Tech is North Carolina’s largest community college, serving more than 64,000 adults annually, with seven campuses, two training centers, multiple community sites, and a comprehensive array of online learning options. Wake Tech is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers more than 250 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment. More than half of those programs can be completed totally online. Wake Tech also offers short-term, non-degree programs as well as public safety training, small business support, customized corporate training, and basic skills courses such as English as a Second Language and high school equivalency preparation. Wake Tech also serves high school students at four Cooperative Innovative High Schools in partnership with Wake County Public Schools. For more information, visit waketech.edu or @waketechcc on social media.
Founded in 1965, Gensler is a global architecture, design and planning firm with 53 locations and 6,000+ professionals networked across the Americas, Europe, China, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The company has more than 3,500 clients in 33 areas of practice. Gensler is a leader in innovative design, winning numerous awards for their inspiring work throughout the world.
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