A Centre County technical school is making a $10.5 million expansion -- bringing new jobs and opportunities to the community.

The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, better known as CPI says they've been working on this expansion since 2008.

The first phase is half way finished and now they're looking to fill nearly 50 jobs.

 This the first phase of a three step expansion project.

Director of Business and Development David Van Buskirk says the new building will triple the amount high school and adult learner students at the school. “We retrain people, get people into new jobs and its good for the economy all the way around." He says these jobs in the Marcellus shale, heavy equipment operating and diesel mechanic fields are all in high demand.

That's why the county commissions and Senator Corman helped land a $2 million dollar grant to go towards the upgrades. He says this will be a staple for the future of Centre County, "this is not an investment for a few years this is an investment for generations."

 Mike Holtzinger, a teacher at CPI says the industry is growing all the time and this state-of-the-art equipment will help local folks land local jobs. "The gas well industry is bringing more jobs into the area more jobs, more people, more people more housing, more roads."

 When the total expansion is done the school expects to more than 100 new employees, but for now they're looking for nearly 50 instructors and maintenance workers to start by fall.

 School officials say the next phase will be a nursing facility that is in the planning stage right now. They also hope to add on campus housing in the future.