Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) has opened the Al Hurvis/Peak Transportation Center, a 7,400-square-foot automotive lab dedicated to career awareness and training in the automotive service sector. It includes seven auto repair bays, one analyzer bay, and one wash and detailing bay.

The center also serves as the home for MATC’s new “RevUp” program, which allows the college to expand training for highly skilled technicians to fill a variety of jobs in the automotive service industry, as well as to offer high school and middle school outreach events and mentoring designed to raise awareness and interest in automotive careers.

Funds raised through “RevUp” also have expanded the college’s capacity to hire success and skill coaches who work alongside program faculty to support students in their career and academic goals.

The new center is designed to offer training opportunities for students of all ages, with special programs to give high school and middle school students exposure to careers in the vehicle service field. According to MATC, the center will be accessible to students from low-income households who do not have access to automotive programs at their high schools.

While MATC covered the cost of the physical facility, programming support is funded by gifts from private businesses, individuals, and a challenge grant from Old World Industries Chairman and co-founder Tom Hurvis for the “RevUp” program.

MATC reported that, as of Oct. 22, donors had pledged $3.23 million to “RevUp” programming — the largest of which came from Hurvis, who gave $1.10 million in seed funding and has matched every subsequent gift and pledge dollar-for-dollar.

“We couldn’t think of a more deserving population than the future leaders of the Greater Milwaukee area,” Hurvis said. “My father (Al) spent many years mentoring his employees in the automotive industry. Partnering with MATC on this endeavor will help many future generations of students and young adults better themselves. I am excited about the variety of programs this new transportation center will open up for the MATC community.”