Students Learn Skills and Optimism

  A grand opening in Nixa schools has students there getting hands on training in job skills they will need upon graduation.

 While learning from a text book is great, these students are getting out of the traditional classroom to learn their trade.

 It's a new building that's giving Nixa students new opportunities when it comes to learning.

 The new Career Opportunity Center offers training for students in such trades as welding, mechanics, and wood working.

Instructors say students will have the tools they need to learn their trade of choice, with the new 13,000 square foot facility.

But it's not just the teachers that are excited about the new facility.

"You just have more freedoms than in the classroom, you can get out and move more instead of just sitting in one place," says Charles Montgomery, a career center student.

Instructor Andy Hurlburt says the center will teach a trade and give kids hope for their future. "This community has told me that they are looking for young people that are enjoyable. What we want to do with this program is attack that head on.  We want to give the students what they need so when they graduate they can look at college or being successful at that first job."

Even though the school celebrated the center's grand opening just last week, students have been working in the building since September.