Over 200 Tampa Bay area business leaders, manufacturers, elected officials and former AmSkills students celebrated the grand opening of the new AmSkills Workforce Innovation Center on October 4, as part of the 10th Annual Manufacturing Dinner, held at the new facility.

Located at 4606 Darlington Road in Holiday, the new 14,000 square foot facility has a $4 million dollar price tag, which includes over a million dollars of technical training equipment. The facility is designed to teach people of all different skill levels, from those who have little to no experience up to the highly advanced skills in the manufacturing industry.

AmSkills is a nonprofit organization that teaches high school students and adults the 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.

AmSkills primarily does this through two-week, Career Discovery Bootcamps. These bootcamps consist of multiple hands-on projects, print and measurement reading, intro to soldering, and attending tours of local manufacturers. During the program, participants also receive resume writing assistance and interview preparation. All participants who successfully complete the bootcamp receive a Certificate of Completion and are guaranteed job interviews with multiple hiring employers on the last day.

Before the new AmSkills Workforce Innovation Center opened, these bootcamps were completely mobile and travelled to different locations around the Tampa Bay area. With the new facility, Pasco County bootcamps will now take place at the Center, in addition to other bootcamps that will continue in Pinellas County at the Lealman Exchange.

“On the final day of bootcamp, each candidate is guaranteed interviews with multiple hiring companies,” said Tom Mudano, AmSkills CEO. “We don’t guarantee jobs, we guarantee job interviews, and we help prepare participants to feel confident during the process. The rest is up to them.”

In addition to the bootcamps, the new facility will offer current manufacturing employees the opportunity to learn new skills through its SACA Micro-Credentials Program. SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance) are nationally recognized, advanced manufacturing credentials. When earned, a person demonstrates their skills and knowledge to current and future employers. AmSkills currently offers thirteen different certification programs, including electrical systems, pneumatic systems, and motor control troubleshooting. AmSkills also offers additional Machining and Mechatronics (Electro-Mechanical) programs.

“While our goal is to help manufacturers fill jobs with a skilled workforce, we first focus on the individual and helping them to succeed, which results in launching new careers in an industry that is in need to a skilled workforce,” said Mudano.