City and state officials gathered with representatives from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to mark the ribbon cutting of the new Workforce and Education Training Center (WETC) in the Historic Westside. The event highlighted the opening of a 15,000-square-foot facility constructed next to the Historic Westside School, known as the community’s first integrated school.
The $6.9 million project received significant financial support from several sources, including what is described as the largest U.S. Economic Development Administration grant awarded in Nevada, along with $1.5 million from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) Fund. The City of Las Vegas owns the property, while CSN will operate it under a lease agreement.
“WETC is the cornerstone of this historic property,” said Ward 5 Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong. “This center is the engagement ring, it’s the promise. Now begins the marriage, and I’m excited to have this in my community serving my neighborhood.”
Once fully operational in 2026, WETC will offer programs in healthcare, information technology, logistics, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Additional services will include adult basic education, English as a Second Language courses, career navigation assistance, academic coaching, scholarship support, bridge programs, and credit pathways.
For younger participants, programming will feature K-12 engagement opportunities such as dual enrollment options, STEM camps, career and technical education previews, mentorship initiatives, personal enrichment activities, and parent or guardian involvement.
“Every trajectory should lead to something after high school,” said Dr. James McCoy, CSN’s executive vice president of academic affairs. “These stackable credentials are like a Lego set. They plug into a two- or four-year degree, changing perspectives and creating socioeconomic equity. Education is what changes lives.”
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto emphasized that federal funding was key to making this project possible: “CARES Act funding included dollars for communities in Nevada, and years later we are standing in front of the funding that’s going to make a difference,” Cortez Masto said.
Tammy Malich from Las Vegas’ youth development office noted that WETC addresses workforce needs: “This is pivotal in our city,” Malich said. “Labor trades and workers are aging out. WETC will be a multigenerational approach to life-changing opportunities for generations to come.”
The center represents collaboration among local government agencies and community leaders who worked together on its development plan.
Development at WETC will occur in phases; phase one has been completed with plans for a soft opening in October followed by an official grand opening scheduled for January 2026.
“Ten- to 16-week classes will give our students the most recent exposure to industry standards,” said Stavan Corbett, director of workforce and economic development for CSN.