What Is It Known For?
Peaslee Tech opened its doors in August 2015 after community leaders in Lawrence identified the need for technical skills training. The Economic Development Corporation, the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce collaborated to make this vision a reality.
Named after Dwayne Peaslee, a leader who united business and union communities for job creation, the center now serves over 2,000 enrolled students annually. Today, Peaslee Tech operates as Kansas’s largest apprenticeship program provider, offering registered apprenticeships approved by the Kansas Apprenticeship Commission. It also partners with affiliated colleges for on-site coursework.
Degrees & Certifications
At Peaslee Tech, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion after successfully finishing each course. Students also get a Certificate of Competency when they pass industry-recognized certification exams or state licensing requirements.
The 78,000-square-foot facility houses specialized training labs for HVAC, computer network applications, automotive technology, industrial maintenance, and construction. Outdoor commercial driver training areas also support diverse learning needs.
Current registered apprenticeship programs include:
- Robotics Technician
- Residential Electrician and Plumber
- Pharmacy Technician
- Dental Assistant
- Early Childhood Educator
- And additional growing fields
Class Schedules
Students at Peaslee Tech can access training through 27 different career paths offered on campus. There are multiple industrial applications and personal/ professional development courses available online as well.
Many programs allow you to add internship opportunities that connect your classroom knowledge to real workplace settings. Your course instructors will work directly with you and the internship sites to develop these placements. One thing to note, though, is that completion requirements remain the same with or without internship participation.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The Kansas Board of Regents granted Peaslee Tech its post-secondary institution status in November 2017. This approval validates the center’s educational standards alongside multiple additional accreditations, professional affiliations, and industry memberships.
Acceptance Rate
Through Peaslee Tech’s open enrollment approach, anyone aged 16 or older can apply for admission. Programs accept students on a first-come, first-served basis with rolling admissions throughout the year. However, some courses may have specific prerequisites before enrollment.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
According to Peaslee Tech’s most recent catalog, tuition ranges from $275 for their Lubrication & Tire Technician program to $4,400 for their Cisco Networking Academy. Additional fees may increase these base costs. Contact [email protected] or call 785-856-1801 for complete pricing details.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Certified Bookkeeper
- Human Resources Professional
Criminal Justice & Law
- Certified Paralegal
- Court Reporter
Healthcare
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Clinical Dental Assistant
- Optician Certification Training
- Patient Care Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
Professional Services
- Freight Broker
Skilled Trades
- Welding
- Woodworking
- Auto Technician
- Carpentry
- Commercial Driver’s License
- Electrician
- Residential HVAC
- Residential Plumber
Campus Locations
Lawrence 2920 Haskell Avenue, Suite 100 Lawrence, KS 66046
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center has a generally positive but mixed reputation, with strong approval for its mission and facility, but specific, recurring criticisms directed at certain technical programs and instructor performance.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Strong Community Asset and Mission: Reviewers consistently express enthusiasm for the center’s role in the community, with one stating, “It’s finally a great place to learn a trade. Lawrence has needed this for years.”
Positive Learning Environment & Staff: Several users highlight the “Great atmosphere” and mention that the Peaslee staff is “friendly.” There is also appreciation for the fact that certain companies are integrated with the center, suggesting good industry connection.
Facility and General Courses: The facility is noted for its “Big space for working in groups.” General courses, like the Drives Ed course, are praised for leaving students “well informed and a little more confident.”
Valuable Trade Education: The center is a recommended place for those looking to “learn more about Computers and Technology” and a “great place to learn a trade.”
Common Criticisms
Issues with CDL Program Instructors: There is consistent, specific negative feedback regarding the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. Two separate reviews from two years ago allege that the driver instructors “treated me so poorly I was discouraged” and are only “there to pick up their checks,” failing to give students the proper instruction or hours.
Lack of Hands-on Learning in Technical Programs: The HVAC program (offered through Neosho) received criticism for not delivering on its promise of practical, hands-on learning. A student who left after three semesters stated the program “literally taught the book and math” without sufficient practical application.
Concerns over Student Quality/Supervision: One recent complaint (7 months ago) involved a car damaged by one of the center’s students. The reviewer described the student’s mechanical work as extremely poor, citing a flywheel installed out of phase with loose, damaged bolts, suggesting issues with training quality or direct supervision of student work.
Momentum
The available reviews show a mixed and somewhat contradictory momentum. While the two absolute newest reviews (a month ago) have no text, the most recent substantive review (7 months ago) is negative and relates to student quality/supervision. However, the more extensive negative feedback on the CDL program is 2 years old, and the HVAC complaint is 6 years old.