A ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the former Redbird Mall celebrated the opening of a new center aimed at increasing workforce readiness, especially in south Dallas.
The 53,000-square-foot facility at The Shops at Redbird at the University of Dallas trains talent in high-demand fields such as medical assistants, forklift operators, customer care agents, accounting professionals, and industrial maintenance mechanics. Masu.
The center will offer courses that support students aiming for high school equivalency, as well as classes focused on English as a second language, financial literacy and job readiness.
After Friday's ceremony, guests toured the facility and watched technology demonstrations including forklifts and health training equipment. The building features flexible laboratory space that can be adapted to suit course needs, from augmented reality to robotics and automation.
The woman who conceived the center, Gloria Smith, vice president for workforce education at the University of Dallas, was praised for her efforts to help nontraditional students pursue high-paying careers.
“With this center located in the heart of South Dallas, we and our partners will be able to provide historically underserved populations with educational opportunities that lead to in-demand jobs. We can,” Smith said.
A 2021 report from research and consulting firm Cicero Group found that Dallas residents ages 25 and older, especially in South Dallas, lack opportunities to learn new job skills and advance their careers.
Across Dallas County, 25 Approximately 3 in 10 adults between the ages of 34 and 34 earn a living wage. .
University of Dallas President Justin Ronon celebrated the center's opening by leading a chant.
“What business are we in?” Ronon asked.
“We're in the business of breaking down barriers,” responded the crowd of more than 100 people.
The new training “breaks down one of the barriers and brings these types of programs right here in our neighborhood and gives people access to programs that give them the skills they need to get a job,” Ronon said.
The center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students have access to success coaches and support services to help with food, housing security, mental health, transportation, and childcare.
The university has committed more than $5 million to the project, with support from the City of Dallas, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Valli, and Google.
What used to be a shopping mall continues to evolve.
In October, officials from The Shops at Redbird and the nonprofit Vogel launched a childcare program for approximately 130 children, prioritizing mall employees and Vogel-supported families. Announcing the establishment of the office.
The DMN Education Lab deepens our coverage and conversations about pressing education issues that matter to the future of North Texas.
DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative supported by Bobby and Lottie Lyle, Community Foundation of Texas, Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dee Dee Rhodes, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Meadows Foundation, Murrell Foundation, and Solutions. I am receiving support. Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sidney Smith Hicks, University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control over Education Lab's journalism.
