The Community College of Philadelphia has officially unveiled its brand new Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC) on the corner of 48th & Market Streets in West Philadelphia.

The brand new state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility, which broke ground in Nov. 2020, will offer associate degree and short-term certificate programs in more than 20 areas.

The most prominent areas are the Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, and Transportation Technology fields.

One program in particular is the Toyota Technician Training & Education Network (T-TEN) program, in which students will get hands-on experience in automotive diagnosis and repair training, useful skills to succeed in the automotive industry. 

“One of the coolest things in this case is that this is not offered anywhere else in the city,” said Ayanna Washington, executive director of the Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC).

A key component for the setup of each program, Washington noted, is that each one functions to be a lab first, and lecture second. 

“It was really important for us to make sure that the spaces that we were in, that they all operate it like labs,” she added. 

Other skills that students will be able to obtain through the CATC include electro-mechanical technology and welding. 

Prior to the official ribbon cutting ceremony, CCP President Dr. Donald Guy Generals highlighted the value of the new facility.

“This incredible building represents a pivot for the College towards a future that has in-demand skill needs for an advancing technological society,” he said. 

Jeremiah White, CCP Board Chair, said that the opening of CATC “strengthens our will and sharpens the imperative to create more open access opportunities for Philadelphia residents to enter CCP and push on into the workforce, business or pursue further higher educational opportunities.” 

To add to this, Mayor Jim Kenney called the grand opening of the CATC “a transformative moment” for Philadelphia.

“Our vision is for it to be a dynamic city with a thriving, inclusive economy that works for every risk to achieve these goals, and it’s critical that we continue to invest in education,” said Mayor Kenney.

The CATC is also a place for the community, as the third floor of the facility houses an innovation hub that will be open to students, residents, community members and small businesses. 

“I look forward to seeing how students and residents will utilize this sort of resource, how it will continue to enhance offerings and experiences based on student and employee needs,” said Sulaiman Rahman, Vice President of the Board for CCP Foundation.

Classes will open for CCP students beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6. 

To learn more information about the CATC and its offerings, click here.