Empowering Students and Industries: The Value of Creating Effective Vocational Skills Labs

Brian Roth, AIA, LEED AP, Associate and Senior Project Manager at IKM Architecture

In today's fast-paced world, the demand for skilled labor in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology is at an all-time high. Traditional educational models are often ill-equipped to meet this demand, leaving a significant gap between what students learn in classrooms and the practical skills required in the workforce. This gap has driven the rise of vocational skills labs-specialized learning environments designed to mirror real workplaces-that provide students with hands-on experience and industry-standard tools, preparing them for real-world jobs.

Many schools and communities either lack these vocational labs or operate ineffective ones, which can have serious consequences. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), communities without adequate vocational training facilities often struggle with higher unemployment rates, reduced economic growth, and a persistent skills gap that prevents industries from filling crucial positions. The absence of these facilities limits students' career prospects and hinders local industries from finding the talent they need to grow and innovate.

The Impact of Vocational Skills Labs on Schools and Communities

The National Skills Coalition's analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics by State in 2018 reports that middle-skill jobs-those requiring more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree-make up 52% of the U.S. labor market. Yet only 43% of workers have access to the skills training needed to fill those jobs. This discrepancy has left many industries scrambling to find workers with the right technical expertise.

As businesses like Intel and Microsoft invest in cities like Columbus, the need for a skilled, adaptable workforce grows. Vocational skills labs provide a critical solution for the growing need to train nontraditional students, career changers, and workers retraining for new industries. Vocational labs address this demand by offering practical, real-world training that equips students with the skills they need to succeed. Educational institutions are beginning to recognize the value of vocational skills labs and are adapting them to fit the needs of their communities.

Studies by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) have shown that schools with robust vocational training programs experience higher graduation and job placement rates. Conversely, schools without these programs leave students underprepared for the workforce, which can contribute to higher dropout rates and unemployment. Healthcare, culinary, and manufacturing are just a few sectors where vocational training has proven highly effective.

How Architecture Addresses the Need

At IKM Architecture (IKM), we design primarily for healthcare, higher education, and science and technology. We've seen firsthand the transformative impact vocational skills labs can have on both students and industries. By designing educational spaces replicating real-world conditions, we ensure students gain the skills they need to excel in their chosen fields.

Healthcare, culinary, and manufacturing are just a few sectors where vocational training has proven highly effective. Unlike traditional classroom-based learning, vocational labs focus on creating an immersive, hands-on experience, preparing students to transition into the workforce confidently.

Vocational Labs in Healthcare: Realistic Environments for Critical Skills

One of the most well-established vocational training models is common in healthcare, where nursing and medical simulation labs have become essential to education. Our project at the Celtic Simulation Center for Innovative Learning (CSCIL) at Carlow University's College of Health and Wellness in Pittsburgh, PA, features high-fidelity mannequins and state-of-the-art clinical equipment, allowing students to practice life-saving procedures and build confidence before entering the professional world.

Vocational labs in healthcare also prioritize student well-being. At CSCIL, IKM used our Human-Centered Design process to design respite areas and a student lounge based on feedback from a "day in the life" walkthrough with students and faculty. Transparency in the lab space design ensures that these facilities serve as both a teaching tool and a recruitment asset, showcasing the advanced training opportunities available to prospective students.

Culinary Skills Training: Beyond the Kitchen

In the culinary arts, vocational labs also play a key role in preparing students for dynamic careers. Our design at the Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, PA, provides a comprehensive culinary experience designed to provide everything from horticulture to food preparation to service. This vocational lab is equipped with a teaching kitchen, a production kitchen, a rooftop garden, and an "Urban Farm Shop," offering students a unique opportunity to learn every aspect of the culinary arts in one space. The center features communal areas that foster connection and collaboration outside the technical environment, helping students build networks to support their professional growth.

By creating this well-rounded training environment, Bidwell has become a cornerstone for culinary education in the region, helping students transition into successful careers in the food industry.

Connecting Students to Industry

In regions like Ohio and Pennsylvania with deep manufacturing roots, vocational labs are essential for developing a skilled workforce. However, many industries still struggle to find talent with the technical expertise required to operate advanced machinery. The success of vocational labs depends on creating environments that replicate real-world conditions. IKM applies its expertise from various sectors to ensure that vocational training spaces are realistic and flexible enough to adapt to future technological advancements.

Our work at the University of Pittsburgh's Titusville Manufacturing Assistance Center (MAC) in Titusville, PA, addresses this issue by creating a flexible workshop environment to mirror real-world conditions. The MAC is equipped with advanced tooling and milling equipment, allowing students to practice using the same machinery they will encounter in their careers. Transparent walls showcase student work, enabling prospective employers to observe students in action and strengthen the connection between education and industry. This "science on display" concept also helps motivate students by making their progress visible and tangible to themselves and potential employers.

The Future of Vocational Training - Designing Spaces for the Future Workforce

As industries evolve, so too must vocational labs. The Journal of Vocational Education & Training notes that introducing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into vocational spaces has created new learning opportunities. AR and VR allow students to simulate complex procedures-like medical surgeries or machine operations-without the risk associated with hands-on practice. At IKM, we see the potential for these technologies to enhance vocational training, particularly in fields where the stakes are high and precision is essential, like healthcare and manufacturing.

Vocational skills labs are more than just classrooms; they are the foundation for building a skilled workforce. Communities and industries that invest in these labs see a direct return in the form of job-ready graduates and stronger economic growth. At IKM, we are proud to design these critical spaces, from healthcare simulation centers to manufacturing workshops, that prepare students for the challenges of the workforce and help industries thrive.

As Columbus and other cities continue to grow as hubs for science and technology, vocational skills labs will play an increasingly vital role in preparing the next generation of workers. By designing flexible, immersive environments, IKM ensures that these labs meet today's needs and are adaptable for future advancements.