BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Community College and the BRCC Foundation have secured a $50,000 grant from the Louisiana Contractors Education Foundation to fund hands-on training and equipment at the college’s newly launched Capital City Construction Lab.

The funding will provide students with industry-standard tools, materials and training resources designed to prepare them directly for high-demand, high-wage commercial and residential construction careers across the Capital Region.

Officially opened in August 2026, the Capital City Construction Lab is an open-air facility built to simulate active, real-world job sites. The training hub hosts coursework across several high-need trade disciplines, including carpentry, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing and construction management. 

"The generous support of the Louisiana Contractors Education Foundation allows us to provide students with hands-on learning experiences, industry-standard equipment and valuable resources that bridge the gap between classroom instruction and workforce expectations," said Chandra Joseph, BRCC Dean of the Division of Business and Law. "This investment is instrumental in preparing our students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the construction industry."

BRCC Chancellor Willie E. Smith Sr. emphasized the regional economic impact of expanding vocational training access.

"Investments like this go beyond supporting a college program. They are investments in the future of our students, our workforce and our state's economy. As the Capital Region's No. 1 talent developer, BRCC is committed to working alongside industry partners to ensure our students have access to the training, technology and real-world experiences they need to succeed."

Prospective students interested in enrollment and program details can find more information at mybrcc.edu.