LIT Celebrates Completion of Workforce and Allied Health Training Center

11/15/2024

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Workforce and Allied Health Training Center on November 6, 2024. The event was attended by faculty, staff, students, elected officials, and community members, all of whom gathered to celebrate the unveiling of this state-of-the-art facility.

“This ceremony is a momentous occasion as we open the doors to the new home of our pharmacy technology program, nursing program, and workforce and continuing education department,” Dr. Sid Valentine, LIT President said. “The Workforce and Allied Health Training Center will be a catalyst for preparing our students for successful careers and providing our community with highly skilled professionals.”

The 51,981 square-foot, three-story center is designed to meet the growing demand for healthcare and workforce professionals in the region. The facility features innovative spaces, including nursing skills and simulation labs, a simulated pharmacy for commercial and hospital settings, workforce development classrooms, and a large multi-purpose classroom. The center also houses an industry partners lab, providing opportunities for collaboration with local businesses to receive workforce training.

“This state-of-the-art facility stands as a symbol of LIT’s dedication to providing high-quality education and represents our commitment to meeting the growing needs of healthcare professionals, as well as workforce and continuing education,” Dr. Angela Hill, LIT Provost/Vice President of Instruction said. “This building is more than just classrooms and labs; it’s a beacon of opportunity and a hub for learning and innovation. Every classroom, lab, and collaborative space was intentionally designed to foster an environment where knowledge and training meet practical, hands-on experience.”

The center also includes student-focused spaces such as a testing center, seating areas, and a third-level patio. Study stations throughout the facility allow students to collaborate on projects and engage in coursework outside of class hours.

“We are looking forward to the hallways and learning spaces being filled with students—students who will be inspired, challenged, and most importantly, prepared to join the workforce,” Hill said. “We also welcome industry partners to utilize the large industrial training lab and our classroom and meeting spaces as we continue to train and upskill both our current and future workforce.”

The completion of the Workforce and Allied Health Training Center coincides with the upcoming launch of LIT’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program, which will begin in Spring 2025. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and enter the nursing profession as licensed registered nurses (RNs).

“The students who walk into the Workforce and Allied Health Training Center will walk out as highly qualified professionals who are prepared to fill regional jobs and make an immediate impact on our community,” Valentine said. “Thank you to everyone for being here today and for those who contributed to this momentous project.”

For more information about LIT, visit lit.edu or contact 409-880-8321.