LAVALE — Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker said he’d like to emulate a local program that tailors worker skills to fit area company needs.
Coker and Maryland Labor Secretary Portia Wu, plus members of their respective teams, were at the Western Maryland Works makerspace Monday.
The 33,000-square-foot facility includes ultramodern labs and shops that provide workforce training, as well as community classes and membership for public use.
Coker said he was impressed that the facility uses input from the local business community to design programs for students so that they can join the workforce.
“It’s practical, it’s demonstrated right here,” he said, adding that he hasn’t seen anything like the makerspace facility in the rest of the state.
“This is successful, so we need to continue to resource it.”
Coker said he’d like more folks to know about programs provided at makerspace, which include various tools, machines and classes such as 3D-printing, woodworking and graphic design available with a standard membership for $40 per month.
“I’m here to learn (and) advocate,” he said.
Coker’s visit to Western Maryland this week included stops in Washington and Garrett counties.
The makerspace was created after Allegany County in 2018 bought the former site of Economy Wholesale Co., 37 Lane Ave.
County officials leased the property to Allegany College of Maryland, which moved into and renovated the facility in 2020.
Last year, Allegany County commissioners agreed to transfer the property to the college.
The makerspace offers state-of-the-art labs that focus on workforce development in areas that include welding and metal fabrication, machining, digital design, forklift and rigging, and robotics and automation.
According to ACM officials, more than 150 people have been trained at the facility and earned nearly 1,000 credentials since 2020.
Since fall 2022, Western Maryland Works has offered a two-year engineering — automated manufacturing technology program.
The makerspace provides a work area for kids interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and various continuing education classes for adults.
The facility retrained nearly 70 workers who lost jobs when the Verso Corp. closed its Luke paper mill in 2019.
Monday, ACM President David Jones said Western Maryland Works this year received a $100,000 grant through the Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program that was used to buy equipment.
He said ACM is “greatly appreciative” of financial support from the state.
“We’re always honored to showcase (WMW),” Jones said.
Western Maryland Works Director Shawn O’Rourke said the facility adds new equipment and programs based on area workforce demand.
“We just want to expand,” he said of training opportunities, and spoke of how the makerspace blends traditional craftspersons with modern machinery experts. “It’s really cool what they can do when they come together.”