Breaking Ground: Auto Tech Shop for Local Students
We are thrilled to announce that TwispWorks broke ground on a new two-bay auto tech shop on Wednesday, April 7. The new building will provide 2,100 square feet of industry-grade auto mechanic facilities for the use of Methow Valley School District students, starting in the fall of 2023. Despite a fierce wind, we had a wonderful turnout of school district staff, students, and school board members, as well as board members and campus partners of TwispWorks. We are honored to be working with the school district on this innovative project and grateful to the many, many people (too many to name here!) who laid its groundwork. Cheers to the future!
More information about the project is available here.
See more photos of the groundbreaking event here.
“Since its inception, TwispWorks has worked to increase the economic and cultural vitality of the Methow Valley. When the Methow Valley School District needed a new home for their Independent Learning Center (ILC), an innovative choice high school, the decision to forge a special partnership with the school district was an easy one. The ILC found a home on the TwispWorks campus in the fall of 2016, and the partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial. Students are given the opportunity to participate in internships with campus businesses and can choose to participate in the automotive technology program housed in the existing 800-square foot garage on campus. Fast forward and student interest in the program has far exceeded the available space, so building a new 2,100-square foot automotive technology facility on the TwispWorks campus is exciting. It will allow more students to participate and explore career opportunities in the trades and further expand TwispWorks unique partnership with the Methow Valley School District.”
– Char Alkire, President, Board of Directors, TwispWor
“The future automotive technology shop and the upgrades to the welding shop are all a part of the Methow Valley School District’s plan to give students real world experience while exploring skilled trades or preparing for a career in the industries. Because of our innovative partnership with TwispWorks, students will get to use industry standard equipment in the welding and automotive shops while also learning theory and other important skills in the recently remodeled classroom. These programs will prepare students to enter a post-secondary technical college or step straight into the industry of their interest. There is a huge need for skilled tradespeople right now, so we are excited to be giving students the chance to prepare for these much-needed careers.”
– Matt Kennedy, Welding and Auto Tech Instructor, Methow Valley School District
“Education is at its best when school and community come together, blurring the lines between school and the workplace, providing students with an opportunity to ‘rub elbows with the real world’. I don’t know of a school district and community that does it better.”
– Frank Kline, President, Methow Valley School Board