Daley College opens $45M manufacturing, engineering center

City Colleges of Chicago opened the doors to a new $45 million manufacturing and engineering center with the mission of exposing students to technology being used in the field today.

The 57,000-square-foot facility at Richard J. Daley College, 4101 W. 76th, will replace mobile classrooms put in place nearly five decades ago.

The Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center is the largest and most advanced facility at any of the City Colleges campuses. It will serve as the hub for students looking to earn certification, an associate’s degree or transfer opportunities to fouryear colleges for careers in manufacturing and engineering technology.

“What you will see in the center is the kind of advanced equipment, robotics equipment, process controls, quality-control equipment, the kind of technology you are going to see in today’s high-tech advance manufacturing floors,” said Juan Salgado, City Colleges chancellor.

City Colleges also modernized its curriculum to meet industry needs to make students strong prospects when they enter the job market.

Guadalupe Escamilla, 24, said he is excited to use the new equipment while pursuing advanced certifications in welding. He received his basic certifications in 2016.

“The classes I’m taking now can also be applied to an associate’s degree, and I am really considering that for the future,” Escamilla said.