Holiday, FL., March 22, 2022 – AmSkills’ mission to build a Workforce Training Innovation Center in Holiday will soon become a reality with the help of a $3 million earmark in the recently passed federal budget. This money was earmarked by Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who has been a longtime supporter of AmSkills.
In 2021, AmSkills purchased 4.5 acres in Holiday (Pasco County) to create a workforce training campus. The property contains a 13,600 square-foot building that is currently being renovated using state and federal funding. Once completed, this building will provide hands-on training in CNC machining, metal fabrication, Mechatronics and robotics. This facility will also offer the 2-week Career Discovery Bootcamps that AmSkills is currently offering all around the Tampa Bay area. In addition, the Pasco Economic Development Council will have space in this building for their SMARTstart program, which helps people who are starting their own companies.
The new $3 million federal earmark will be used to construct a new building adjacent to the existing building. This will become the AmSkills Workforce Training Innovation Center. This facility will be used to educate youth and adults on the numerous opportunities available in the manufacturing industry. This will be done using virtual reality, simulators, hands-on activities and with robotics.
“We envision both youth and adults visiting to explore and learn new careers that they had never considered before,” said Tom Mudano, President & CEO of AmSkills. “Facilities are expected to include hands-on Workshops, a 3-D printing lab, forklift and welding simulators, robotics training, outdoor maker space pavilion, and the AmSkills Administrative offices.”
“We are extremely grateful to Congressman Bilirakis for his continued support of AmSkills and for believing in us and the work we are doing,” said Mudano.
Programs at the AmSkills Workforce Training Innovation Center will be designed to offer summer and holiday camps for youth, where they can explore new technologies like building drones or 3-D printers. These new skills may encourage these young people to consider careers in fields like robotics and Mechatronics. The facility is also expected to become a destination training center from around the country for robotics and to become the first Simulator Training facility of its kind in the United States.
AmSkills is a 501(c)(3) organization that teaches high school students and adults the foundational skills needed for a career in the manufacturing industry using hands-on training. It also gives these students the chance to explore multiple career paths in the manufacturing field. Once completed, candidates are eligible for paid, semi-skilled jobs or skilled apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about AmSkills, visit www.AmSkills.org or call (727) 301-1282.