CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Laramie County Community College is celebrating a new partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad that will benefit local welding and diesel programs.
LCCC leaders, students and railroad representatives gathered this morning at the college’s Flex Tech Building to recognize a $300,000 grant from the UPR, which will be used over a three-year period to support new equipment, program recruitment, expansion and community engagement.
LCCC President Joe Schaffer said the Flex Tech houses one of the finest diesel laboratories in the region. With the grant, the college can better promote its diesel technology and welding programs, which fall under the Trades and Technical Studies pathway.
“We’re tired of being the best-kept secret,” Schaffer said during the event. “That secret’s out and we’re going to keep pushing that because we know what we can offer with this wonderful program.”
Nathan Anderson, senior director of Union Pacific Public Affairs, said the railroad has 750 employees in Wyoming and is always open to recruiting locals.
Anderson referred to the grant as a “360-degree donation.” Everyone will get to benefit from it, he said, including students who are exploring careers in skill trades, their instructors and the corporation.
“These are amazing jobs and careers,” he said. “We’re always looking for opportunities to foster workforce development opportunities.
The Union Pacific has supported LCCC before. The college has a Union Pacific Corporation Honors Scholarship available for enrolled students. In 2015, the Union Pacific Foundation granted $190,000 to 18 Wyoming nonprofit organizations, including the LCCC Foundation.
