The new Eastern Iowa John T. Blong Technology Center (BTC) houses eight labs for high-tech manufacturing training in machining, welding, computers, pneumatics/hydraulics, instrumentation and drafting. The largest lab is the machining lab at 7,000 square feet; there are five classrooms, three computer labs, a Pneumatics/Hydraulics lab, drafting lab and an ACT Testing Center.

The ACT (American College Testing) Center is a result of that company's move to launch a network of computerized testing and training centers at the country's community colleges. The 1,600 square-foot ACT Center can be used for industrial skills testing and prescribed training as well as college entrance/placement examinations.

The BTC is a cooperative effort between the college district and the following local manufacturers: DuPont, Nichols Aluminum, JDDW, ALCOA, Inc., North Star Steel Co., Litton Industries, IPSCO, Packaging Technologies and Sears Manufacturing.

A study released in 1999 by the Eastern Iowa Community College District showed a high need of nearly 60,000 new and replacement hires in eastern Iowa for employees with skills in manufacturing technology. The skill areas showing the greatest need were in the area of machining and fabricating.

The need for skilled workers has been driven to an extremely high priority by retiring baby boomers and Iowa's shrinking labor force, making the Blong Technology Center an important resource for eastern Iowa.

The center will offer industrial courses in a variety of specific skill areas such as welding, CNC, Pro-engineering, drafting, blueprint reading, computer skills, math, problem solving, sheet metal work and many others.

The ACT Center provides skills-specific training and development, workplace skills assessments, continuing education courses, computer-delivered certification and professional licensure tests, distance learning and computerized educational and career guidance counseling.

The goal of the BTC is to support the economic future of eastern Iowa manufacturers through human resource, technology and industry development. Both credit and non-credit (adult, continuing education) classes and training are offered and integrated at  the center, a new model for Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges.