Classes started Monday for the first time at the Bowling Green Technical College campus in Franklin at the Sanders Industrial Park.

The technical college campus opened in response to the demand to train technicians and industrial workers. BGTC has six facilities in Bowling Green, Glasgow and, now, Franklin. The $18 million Franklin school measures 63,000 square feet.

“Our initial thrust will be the delivery of a myriad of customized training opportunities to business and industry in the area as we continuously grow and expand offerings in response to the community’s needs,” BGTC President Nathan Hodges said in a news release.

More than 30 students signed up for the five general education classes that are offered this semester. Students can sign up for fall courses until Sunday. The school will eventually offer 36 classes that mainly include industrial and technical training courses, Franklin campus director Al Barringer said.

“Building a technical center in an industrial park is one of the smartest things an industry can do, because all of the plants need education,” Barringer said.

The manufacturing courses will include training with machine tools, hydraulics, pneumatics and industrial equipment.

Many courses will cater to industrial employees who want or need training.

When workers were building the school, officials met with major industries in the area to introduce the new training grounds.

“Most of them expressed interest in utilizing the school,” said Dennis Griffin, executive director of the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority.

Local industries such as Neumayer Metals, Toyo Inc., Berry Plastics, Novatech and Key Oil have shown interest in the school’s programs, Barringer said.

In fact, the new technical college was one factor that influenced Wabash National Corp., a semi truck manufacturer, to open its doors in Franklin. The company plans to build a plant in Franklin in 2009.

“That was a major selling point,” Griffin said. “For them, it was the fact that we’ll have the technical school open where they can train welders and workers.”

The technical school offers certificates and degrees in more than 25 areas; however, students cannot get a degree directly from the Franklin campus until the school receives accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Until then, students must finish their course work at the main campus in Bowling Green to receive a degree, Barringer said.

Classes cost $121 per credit hour. A traditional class worth three credit hours costs $363. The spring semester begins in January, and students can sign up for next semester courses beginning in October.

— For more information about the classes at the Franklin campus, call (270) 586-1910.