Lone Star College—North Harris broke ground on a Constructions and Skilled Trades and Technology Center July 13.

Construction of the facility will commence this summer and the building is expected to open August 2017. The $19.2 million project was funded through the $485 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2014.

“There is a huge demand for construction workers in our area,” LSC Chancellor Stephen Head said. “The Lone Star College Constructions and Skilled Trade Center will provide state-of-the-art instruction and training for career and technical skill that are needed in the industry today.”

Head said the 55,000-square-foot facility will house training labs for electrical technology, field service technology, pipefitting and HVAC-R programs. The center will also have six classrooms, office space and a conference center.

Students who attend can earn certification in pipefitting, welding, HVAC-R, construction supervision, forklift operation, OSHA safety preparations, crane operations and as well as an associate’s degree.

The facility is located at LSC-North Harris, 2700 W.W Throne Drive, Houston, near the Applied Technology Center.