Last updated on December 14, 2023
Students in South Dallas and the surrounding areas will have greater access to technical training and career advancement after the 4315 Innovation Center debuted its new facelift last month. Dallas College, along with other select community-focused organizations, will share the 30,000-square-foot facility and provide industrial trade training in construction, mechatronics, logistics and digital literacy. The center’s grand opening is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 20.
“The Innovation Center will provide job readiness, soft skills, financial literacy and technical training to provide participants with skills needed to obtain industry-recognized credentials in high-demand occupations that pay sustainable living wages,” said Gloria Smith, associate vice chancellor.
Former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith purchased the property on South Lancaster Road in 2019 and redeveloped the property, which had been empty for years. In addition to technical training, the 7,000 square feet allocated to Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus will be used to provide training for high school equivalency, college transition and other areas.
On Aug. 31, Dallas College leaders along with representatives from the city of Dallas, Dallas County Local Workforce Board, Regional Black Contractors Association and other key partners toured the training and education wing of the facility, which is designed to help remove economic barriers for underserved residents in the immediate area.
Other partners include Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.