Photo courtesy of Volvo CE
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) broke ground April 6 on a new $6.4 million technician training center at the company’s North American headquarters in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
Scheduled to open in early 2023, the world-class facility will host in-person and virtual training courses for heavy equipment technicians, according to a news release from the company.
Next-generation technician training
The training facility will be an extension of the 40-acre Volvo CE Customer Center and will include new machine bays, classrooms, a virtual lab with video, augmented reality and other technologies.
Training opportunities primarily will be for Volvo dealer technicians and will include technical courses on equipment and technology and services, such as machine control systems and advanced telematics. Training and demonstrations also will be offered on electric machines, automation and connectivity.
Advanced technology played a role in the groundbreaking ceremony with a Volvo ECR25 Electric compact excavator officially breaking ground on the project. The first North American deliveries of the zero-emission electric excavator and L25 Electric compact wheel loader are scheduled for this spring and will soon be working on construction sites, farms and in other applications.
Elected officials praise project
In addition to supporting Volvo CE dealers and customers, the $6.4 million training center is an investment in the Pennsylvania economy.
“I congratulate Volvo CE on the groundbreaking of its brand-new North American technician training facility,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. “Not only does this project provide advanced opportunities for Volvo’s workforce and customers, but it demonstrates the company’s continued investment in Pennsylvania and the local Shippensburg community.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Pennsylvania, also was on hand to offer his thanks and congratulations.
“Volvo employs thousands of Pennsylvanians, many in good-paying manufacturing jobs,” Casey said. “This center shows Volvo’s commitment to investing in their workers by providing them with skills and training to succeed at Volvo.”
Pennsylvania District 13 Rep. Dr. John Joyce said the project showed his district is “open for business.”
“This $6.4 million expansion of the Volvo CE Customer Center will be a decisive asset for the Shippensburg community,” he added. “Having visited this incredible facility, I appreciate Volvo’s commitment to Franklin and Cumberland counties, and I am confident that this facility will continue to produce family-sustaining jobs for decades to come.”
Design and construction work is being led by several Pennsylvania firms: Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. will design the site, and NUTEC and Waynesboro Construction will team up on architecture and engineering.
