Satellite Amskills Workforce Training Center Opens In Lealman

LEALMAN, FL — AmSkills is celebrating the opening of its first satellite workforce training center in the Lealman community following the success of a boot camp three years ago.

The AmSkills Neighborhood Training Center opened its doors this week, funded by a United Way Suncoast Community Investment Grant of $383,000 over a three-year period to be used in an economically disadvantaged community with a large minority population.

“With unemployment even lower than before the pandemic hit, manufacturers are not only struggling to find skilled job applicants, but they are desperate to keep the employees they currently have,” said Tom Mudano, president and CEO of AmSkills. “Investing in training for existing employees through pre-apprenticeships and specialized courses encourages employees to remain with an employer over the long-term.”

In January 2020, AmSkills hosted its first Career Discovery Bootcamp at the Lealman Exchange in Pinellas County. Two dozen people spent two weeks doing hands-on training and learning about manufacturing, which ultimately led to their to careers in the manufacturing industry.

However, the in-person boot camps were canceled when the pandemic was declared.

Now, AmSkills is back at the Lealman Exchange with a permanent satellite AmSkills training center to help residents find careers in the manufacturing industry and help existing employees increase their hands-on skills.

In addition to the Career Discovery Bootcamps that happen once every few months, AmSkills will offer the following worker training programs on a regular basis at this new center beginning in April.

Pre-Apprenticeship

This is a registered Florida Department of Education program for advanced manufacturing. This course introduces the essential skills for mechatronics, machining and robotics.

Measurement, Materials And Safety

This course allows students the opportunity to learn the NIMS Measurement, Materials and Safety curriculum and validates they have the fundamental knowledge of reading precision measuring devices, shop and machine safety, general machining practices and inspection techniques.

Electrical System 1

This prepares workers to connect, adjust, operate, troubleshoot and analyze electrical circuits using basic electrical components: resistors, capacitors, inductors, DC motors, solenoids, manual switches, relays, fuses, circuit breakers, transformers and indicators. Other key skills include adhering to electrical safety rules, reading electrical circuit diagrams, applying Ohm’s Law and Kirchoff’s Law, using digital multimeters, interpreting series/parallel circuits and assessing power/circuit protection.

AmSkills is a nonprofit 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 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.

Based at 4606 Darlington Road, Holiday, AmSkills was formed by Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties through an interlocal agreement as an Independent County Special District in November 2014 as an economic development and workforce training initiative for the manufacturing industry.