KEY TAKEAWAYS: RPCC, Hyundai Steel and officials broke ground on a Donaldsonville workforce training center. Facility expected to open in late 2027 to support regional steel manufacturing jobs. Two-year program will offer technical diplomas in maintenance and advanced manufacturing. Dual enrol lment pathway will allow Ascension Parish high school students early training.   River Parishes Community College, Hyundai Steel and Louisiana officials broke ground February 6 on a new workforce training center in Donaldsonville, a project aimed at preparing workers for the region’s growing steel and manufacturing sector. The RPCC Hyundai Steel Training Center will be built near the intersection of Loop 945 and Latino Drive and is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2027. College leaders, industry representatives and state officials said the facility will help strengthen Louisiana’s industrial workforce while supporting Hyundai Steel’s planned operations in the region. Gov. Jeff Landry said the initiative reflects Louisiana’s push to attract manufacturers by pairing industrial capacity with workforce development. “Across the country, manufacturers are looking for states that can deliver industrial capacity and a skilled workforce, and Louisiana is delivering both,” Landry said. “The RPCC Hyundai Steel Training Center strengthens American manufacturing and ensures our people are prepared to power the industries that drive our economy.” RPCC has developed a new two-year curriculum tailored to steel manufacturing careers as part of the partnership. Students will begin the first year of coursework in fall 2026 at RPCC or partner institutions including Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College, Fletcher Technical Community College, Northshore Technical Community College and South Louisiana Community College. The program’s second year will take place at the Donaldsonville training center, where students will pursue technical diplomas in electrical maintenance, mechanical maintenance or advanced manufacturing. Officials said the training is designed to create clear pathways into high-demand industrial jobs while strengthening the regional labor pipeline. Hyundai Steel President and CEO Bo Ryong Lee said the training center will support the company’s long-term growth plans in Louisiana. “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a historic moment that will drive the future development of Donaldsonville and Louisiana,” Lee said. “At Hyundai Steel, we believe that the talented individuals trained here will play a vital role in the successful start-up of our steel mill and in achieving rapid and sustainable growth in the years ahead.” The initiative also includes dual-enrollment opportunities for Ascension Parish high school students, allowing them to begin technical training while earning college credit. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said the project links industrial investment with workforce preparation. “This training center demonstrates how Louisiana is translating industrial growth into real opportunities for our people,” Bourgeois said. “By expanding access to industry-driven training, this project prepares our skilled, hard-working men and women to meet employer demand and strengthens the momentum driving Louisiana’s industrial economy.” Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Richard Nelson said the partnership highlights coordination among higher education, industry and government. He said the effort aims to ensure residents in the River Parishes region have access to affordable training aligned with emerging industry needs. RPCC Chancellor Quintin D. Taylor said the college’s role is to deliver workforce-ready education tied directly to employer demand. “RPCC’s role in this partnership is clear: to deliver high-quality, industry-aligned training that prepares students to succeed from day one on the job,” Taylor said. “By developing this new curriculum, we’re ensuring students can build high-wage, high-skill careers without having to leave their community.” River Parishes Community College, part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, operates campuses across the region and offers associate degrees, technical diplomas and workforce training programs. Hyundai Steel, founded in 1953 and part of Hyundai Motor Group, is a major global steel producer pursuing expansion and carbon-reduction initiatives, including a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Officials said updates on the training center and related programs will be shared through RPCC channels as construction progresses. ...read more read less