Image courtesy of LiUNA

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the County of St. Louis announces that the Laborers’ International Union of North America will build an urban training center at Plymouth Industrial Park.

“With this project, LCRA believes this new development will help the region’s job market and economy,” said Jami Dolby, chair of the LCRA. “We feel like this project in Wellston is the perfect fit to not only find a purpose for land that needed to be redeveloped but also train hundreds of individuals looking for a new career or skillset. We look forward to working with LiUNA on this new facility.”

“Workforce development is essential to the growth of our region and builds pathways to successful careers,” said County Executive Sam Page. “Our new 2050 Comprehensive Plan highlights the need for upskilling and training to bridge the gap between available workers and employer needs. I look forward to the training center helping us meet these goals.”

Created in partnership with the Associated General Contractors, SITE Improvement Association and the Mason Contractors Association, this state-of-the-art facility will strengthen the region’s construction workforce.

Located near the Wellston MetroLink stop and supported by multiple bus routes, the 40,000-square-foot urban training center, which sits on a 15.65-acre campus, is expected to train up to 500 apprentices, journeymen or journeywomen a year.

The Training Center will feature both indoor and outdoor training areas, allowing the Laborers to offer a comprehensive curriculum modeled after the programs at the High Hill Laborers Training Facility in Montgomery County. Courses will include concrete placement, scaffold building, safety certifications, solar training, environmental remediation, pipeline work, asbestos abatement, elevation control, GPS and drone training, along with other core Laborer skills needed on today’s construction sites.

Groundbreaking is planned for the spring of 2026. Once completed, the Training Center will serve Laborers across the eastern half of Missouri, including Locals 42, 110, 660, 662, 840, 955 and 1104. The facility will include an open intake window for applicants, helping recruit and develop a strong local workforce for the future of St. Louis.