Southwest Louisiana will have a new industry-focused education center by fall 2026.

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Pelican Chapter broke ground on the new Construction Education Center of Excellence on Tuesday.

ABC is a national trade association with 68 chapters nationwide. These chapters tailor their services to meet the needs to their local construction network. ABC Pelican Chapter is based out of Baton Rouge, with the Baton Rouge Training Center and the Southwest Training Center.

The Southwest facility provides state-of-the-art training, education programs and hands-on learning for industrial craftsmen – instrumentation, electricians, millwrights, pipe fitters, welders, heavy equipment operators – and offers the National Center for Construction Education and Research, a nonprofit center that provides industrial credentials, skill assessments.

David Helveston, president and CEO, ABC Pelican Chapter, called the center a “great new beginning” that will be a skilled education and workforce development hub right at home in Westlake.

It is currently located at 222 Walcot Rd. in Westlake. The new one is being built about two miles down the road.

Blaise Theard, director of education, ABC Pelican Chapter, said the new facility will take the center “20 to 30 years into the future.” The center was established about 40 years ago to provide effective industry training. This service funnels skilled workers into regional industry contractors, services and facilities.

The $15 million building will support a 20 to 30 percent increase and enrollment, and bring the latest industry technology to local trade students, he said.

“We’re just really excited. This training center is really going to service the community and help employ skilled craftsmen and women in this area.”

Funding for the new center came from regional plants and contractors, Theard said. With the sector of industrial construction growing, local industry will benefit from the strengthened workforce the center will provide.

“As you come here and pick up your shovels and turn a little dirt … This is not about this facility. It’s about the future of young men and women who are going to use this facility for decades to come,” Helveston expressed before the groundbreaking.