PERRY - A bigger and better training center for Michigan Laborers is open for business.

On April 30, an open house to celebrate a 31,000-square-foot addition to the Michigan Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Institute was held to show off the center's new space and how it will help educate the union's workforce.

"Increased demand for training, along with significant advances in technology and the construction industry, led to the decision to modernize the facility," said Paul Gassell, the institute's training director. "It's expected the renovations will accommodate the training needs of Michigan's construction craft laborers for years to come."

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Perry facility, located northeast of Lansing, could comfortably train 12-16 construction laborers in each of its three classrooms at any given time. The newly expanded facility will allow 18 to 32 trainees to attend training in each of its four classrooms simultaneously.

Additions to the facility include:

• A second hands-on training bay.
• A cafeteria with vending machines.
• A new welding, cutting and burning room.
• Two new garage work bays.
• A re-designed administrative area with the latest information and communication technology.

"We think we're among the top five Laborers training facilities in the country," said Michigan Laborers District Council Business Manager Gary Jorgensen. "We're proud of that. It allows us to provide the highest-skilled apprentices and journeymen in our industry."

The institute will soon begin offering computer-based training as part of its curriculum, and the new facility is equipped to allow each student in a class to be online at the same time, thanks to the addition of laptop computers and a T-1 Internet access connection.

"From non-sparking demolition tools needed in nuclear power plant decommissioning to satellite-guided measuring tools and pipe-fusion technology, the MLTAI will always strive to introduce construction craft laborers to the latest technology related to their careers," Gassel said.

Michigan laborers also operate training centers in Wayne and Iron Mountain. 

IN FRONT OF the newly expanded Michigan Laborers Training and Apprenticeship Institute are (l-r) Assistant Director Lynn Coleman and Director Paul Gassel.