WCC rolls out new Mobile Classroom for offsite learning

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) is taking its classes beyond traditional campus borders this summer with a new project: a 48-foot-long mobile unit called the Mobile Classroom. The college is using the Mobile Classroom to connect with learners at neighborhoods, schools, community centers, workplaces, and other partner locations throughout the region.

Equipped to provide a full classroom experience, the Mobile Classroom can be utilized for  instruction, demonstrations, presentations, and community engagements. The focus of the new initiative will be vocational education and training, which WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca sees as a natural extension of the college’s workforce development mission. 

“Workforce training shouldn’t be limited by four walls. The Mobile Classroom allows us to bring WCC directly to employers and industry partners, delivering high-quality education and training where it’s needed most,” Bellanca says. “By taking training directly to businesses, we’re creating new opportunities to strengthen our workforce, support local employers, and help more people gain the skills they need for rewarding careers.”

The 48-foot unit can expand to approximately 1,000 square feet of space, enough to accommodate up to 20 students in a lecture setting. In addition to traditional classroom space, the Mobile Classroom also features an easy-to-configure lab, WiFi, heating, and air conditioning.

Designed for flexibility, the space can be adapted for a wide variety of workforce training needs, including career exploration, certification preparation, safety training, equipment demonstrations, and hands-on skill development. 

Funding for the project is being provided by grants from Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research (MSTAR) and Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative (D3C3).

The Mobile Classroom launched earlier this summer and has already traveled to employer sites, workforce development initiatives, career events, and other engagements throughout Southeast Michigan. WCC expects its schedule to expand as new partnerships are established.

“As new partnerships emerge, we’ll continue to customize training to meet the unique needs of local businesses and their employees,” Bellanca says. “The exciting part is that the possibilities continue to grow. As we develop new partnerships, we’ll be able to customize learning experiences for employers and create innovative training opportunities that simply weren’t possible before.”