SLCC opens welding, truck-driving facility at WSM Port

South Louisiana Community College and the Port of West St. Mary announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art multipurpose workforce training facility on March 15.
It features classrooms, a welding shop with 12 welding booths and a commercial driver’s license pad for training maneuvers.

The facility, located near Baldwin, was built with the support of an Economic Development Administration grant, in conjunction with the port and the State of Louisiana. EDA grants help to fulfill regional economic development strategies designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, advance regional competitiveness, create higher-skill, living-wage jobs, generate private investment and fortify and grow industry clusters.

The new facility represents a major step forward for workforce development in the region, providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and practical training experiences.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Port of West St. Mary to open this new training facility,” said Steven Mathews, vice president of economic and workforce Development at SLCC.

“This facility will help us to better serve our community and to provide our students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was at the site at 150 Sager Brown Road, Baldwin.

Over 60 attendees were introduced to the partners and given the opportunity to tour the new facility.

“We started this endeavor two years ago and we are looking forward to the opening of the training facility to benefit the surrounding area by providing quality training for our local industries,” said David Allain, the port’s executive director. “I would like to thank the SLCC staff for their cooperation in moving this project forward and also to thank the commissioners of the Port of West St. Mary for their diligence and support throughout this project.”