AGCO Corporation Training Center Groundbreaking at Parkland College
AGCO Corporation is expanding its imprint on Champaign by introducing the new AGCO Training Center, powered through a partnership with Parkland College.
Involved officials gathered to break ground for the center on Parkland College’s campus on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
While AGCO has been a part of the University of Illinois Research Park since 2018 through the AGCO Acceleration Center, a demand for trained technicians to work on farm equipment has increased across the country. Plans for the AGCO Training Center were unveiled back in April 2023 by Parkland College President Pam Lau.
Parkland received a $5 million donation from AGCO, making the new center possible.
The $6 million facility will house a new Service Technician associate in applied science (A.A.S) degree program, which will provide students with instruction specific to AGCO-branded equipment, as well as education in general ag concepts. The program will accept students sponsored by AGCO dealerships.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lau acknowledged the collaboration with the Champaign Country Economic Development Corporation and The University of Illinois. She also mentioned how the new training center is going to make a meaningful contribution.
“This is going to facilitate not just training, but planting seeds for technical labs all around the world…. We will be helping farmers feeding the world and Illinois.” – Parkland College President Pam Lau
The AGCO Training Center is expected to be constructed by August 2024.
About AGCO
AGCO stands out as a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology.
Learn more about the AGCO Acceleration Center on its Research Park tenant directory.