Robeson Community College’s new career and technical education (CTE) facility is moving into the bid phase, marking a major step forward for a project designed to expand hands-on workforce training in Robeson County.

Senior Project Executive Ryan Parker shared that the project is now fully designed and in active bidding. Bid Phase I, covering the pre-engineered metal building, is complete and came in under budget. Bid Phase II, which includes the remainder of the construction packages such as building finishes, site work and systems, is scheduled for a bid day of April 16, 2026.

The project calls for constructing an approximately 27,385 gross square foot main building, along with 11,800 square feet of walled, partially covered exterior lab space. In total, the project square footage is listed at 27,450 square feet. The facility is designed to support teaching, community outreach, and industry partnerships in an integrated, state-of-the-art environment.

Inside, the building will feature eight traditional classrooms and four large vocational/shop spaces dedicated to hands-on learning in areas such as mechatronics, welding, and electrical trades. These lab spaces are intentionally designed to remain flexible so the college can adapt to future training needs and emerging industries.

The building’s layout and programming are intended to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, student engagement, and strong employment connections with local industry leaders. The project also aligns with Robeson Community College’s post-pandemic strategic direction and is expected to help accommodate an influx of students from the Public Schools of Robeson County’s new CTE High School program.

In addition, the new facility will leverage federal rebates to incorporate sustainable energy initiatives that reduce the building’s energy demand while creating real-world learning opportunities for students interested in the sustainable energy field.

The current schedule anticipates construction starting September 2026, with project completion targeted for December 2027.