RALEIGH, NC (WNCN) – A new, state-of-the-art facility is set to offer more hands-on training and jobs at the Triangle.

A ribbon cutting took place Thursday at the New WakeWorks Apprenticeship Center in Raleigh which will soon welcome a number of people eager to learn a trade.

The new center will house training labs for students in HVAC, carpentry, plumbing and electrical programs.

It also includes a state-of-the-art mechatronics and robotics lab currently used to train Amazon apprentices.

Wake County officials say demand is high for skilled trades and technician programs and they hope this new facility will help attract more workers and jobs to the area.

Students outside the program say they already feel confident in how it prepares them for the next steps.

“Being an apprentice allows people to understand what they want to do and you have years to gain the experience and figure out where you stand. I think I’ll keep that here and reinvest what I’ve been into. my community, ”said apprentice Donald Edney.

WakeWorks funds help pay for tuition, fees, and other expenses for students who receive a paycheck in addition to on-the-job training.