SALINEVILLE — The Utica Shale Academy’s Energy Training Center in Salineville has added some more space to offer programming.

Superintendent Bill Watson said a 50-foot-by-25-foot area previously used as a drive-through for the former Huntington Bank was enclosed and will now serve diesel mechanics and heavy equipment programs. The estimated $650,000 project started in May and was completed this month through CCI Construction of Canton. Watson said costs are being defrayed through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant and capital appropriations through the state legislature.

“Students will do maintenance and repairs of heavy equipment and machinery and will also gain Snap-on credentials,” Watson added. “It’s the start of a new program. We already have heavy equipment and we need diesel mechanics so kids can use and work on the equipment. They are two different courses.”

The training center also boasts hydraulics, electrical, pneumatics, robotics and PLC courses, as well as a partnership with Youngstown State University for 5G communication and 3-D printing programs.

Watson added that officials were also reviewing plans to boost lighting, windows and heating within the site and are also looking to make improvements at the Williams Collaboration Building just a stone’s throw away at 10 E. Main Street. Meanwhile, plans are also on the drawing board for the welding facility adjacent to the former Hutson Building which houses USA programs for grades 9-12.

USA, which has operated for the past decade, is a dropout recovery-and-retention school focusing on career-tech education for at-risk students who have obtained more than 1,100 certifications since 2021. The program includes 190 pupils in grades 9-12 and the expansion could potentially triple enrollment to about 350 pupils. For information, contact (330) 932-9997 or go online to uticashaleschool.com.