Dallas College creating a workforce training center in Red Bird

By Valeria Olivares

Dallas College is establishing a workforce training center at the former Red Bird mall that’s undergoing nearly $200 million redevelopment.

The move aims to meet employment needs in the southwest Oak Cliff area and surrounding neighborhoods by training residents in skills for high-demand jobs.

“In an increasingly competitive educational landscape, it’s vital that we have a strong presence in the community and be engaged,” Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon said in a news release.

The school announced plans on Thursday to partner with what is now The Shops at RedBird to create the new Workforce Development Training Center.

The center will be near Mountain View and Cedar Valley, two of the college’s campuses, and will offer career training services to help residents develop skills needed for high-demand jobs — such as for heavy equipment operators, avionics maintenance technicians, logistics and mechatronics. The college is still developing what the training will look like.

“Dallas College is bringing to RedBird something that is needed in every community — opportunity,” Peter Brodsky, RedBird’s majority owner, said in a release.

The college and Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas are partnering to provide the programming and further develop the city’s talent pipeline.

The $200 million redevelopment of the southwest Dallas shopping mall is meant to provide crucial amenities for area residents, such as access to health services and retail.

Other occupants at RedBird include Parkland Hospital, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Health, Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas and other retail facilities.

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