TRAINING CENTER ADDRESSES DEMAND IN SKILLED TRADES.

• Author: Rose, Sue

Answering the call for more workers in the skilled trades, the MILL National Training Center has opened in a 46,600-square-foot former potato chip factory renovated by RTA Architects near the Colorado Springs Airport.

The center enables high school students, college students, active military and Wounded Warriors to further their skills in the trades. There are also programs for industrial arts teachers and administrators to bring professional, industry-oriented programs to their classrooms and for those already in the industry to further their skills. The center opened with 150 students and expects to increase to 500 high schoolers during the day and 500 post-secondary students from colleges, military and industry at night.

Located near Shriver Air Force Base, the MILL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) is the result of a collaboration among the Peyton and Widefield R-3 school districts, private funding, and industry collaboration and donations.

School districts throughout Colorado are re-emphasizing education and training in technical trades for students with talents and interests that don't match or require the traditional four-year-degree model. The trend to offer hands-on...