Fayetteville Tech Expands STEM Facilities and Programs

The college recently debuted a cybersecurity lab and a youth-focused SparkLab to enhance local educational opportunities.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of colorful geometric sensor components and educational blocks, representing modern technical STEM training facilities. — Fayetteville Technical Community College has launched an industrial cybersecurity lab and a youth-oriented SparkLab to enhance regional STEM education and employment pathways. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fayetteville Technical Community College completed a new industrial cybersecurity lab in summer 2026 and opened a SparkLab for students in June 2026. These initiatives aim to provide advanced technical training and early exposure to STEM careers.

Why it matters

The new facilities were developed to bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands, with the cybersecurity lab design inspired by the Idaho National Laboratory. By fostering these partnerships, the college provides students with critical resources and pathways for regional STEM employment.

The FTCC Keen Scholarship provides two years of tuition-free education at Fayetteville State University for qualifying graduates. Since 2022, the program has supported more than 200 students through this partnership.

The players

Fayetteville Technical Community College

This educational institution serves Cumberland County by offering technical training and degree pathways.

SparkNC

This nonprofit organization partners with schools to promote STEM education and career pathways for younger students.

Fayetteville State University

This university acts as a partner institution for FTCC graduates seeking to complete their bachelor's degrees.

Idaho National Laboratory

This national research facility serves as a primary hub for nuclear and energy research in the United States.

The details

The cybersecurity and automation lab utilizes industrial control systems and sensors to simulate real-world attacks for cross-curricular training. Meanwhile, the SparkLab, a collaboration with the nonprofit SparkNC, offers activities tailored to individual student skill sets to build interest in STEM fields.

The FTCC Keen Scholarship program began in 2022.
Fayetteville Technical Community College opened the SparkLab in June 2026.
The new cybersecurity lab was completed in summer 2026.
The cybersecurity lab is scheduled to open to students in spring 2027.

Culture Shift

The expansion reflects a broader movement in community colleges to align technical curricula with specialized industrial standards. By adopting training models inspired by the Idaho National Laboratory, the college is moving toward more direct workforce integration.

Students and residents in Cumberland County can now access professional-grade cybersecurity training that was previously unavailable on campus. Graduates of the college also gain a direct pathway to tuition-free study at Fayetteville State University through the established scholarship program.

The takeaway

Community colleges are increasingly acting as direct pipelines for high-demand technical careers through specialized lab infrastructure. Local students should regularly check for updates on facility access and new curriculum offerings to take advantage of these emerging programs.