CDE Field Trips - 6/18/25: The MiLL at Widefield School District 3

Construction students at the MiLL build a house with professionals.

Inside a 46,600-square-foot facility in Widefield School District 3 south of Colorado Springs, high school students are laying the foundation for careers in the skilled trades. 

The MiLL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) offers hands-on training in cabinet manufacturing, construction and welding, providing students with real-world experience, industry-recognized certifications, and direct pathways to employment. 

About 400 students are enrolled at the MiLL and the majority are from Mesa Ridge High School and Widefield High School. Classes are held every school day.

CTE construction teacher Mike Landis says the work is more than just practice; it’s real. In the Construction Technology Program, students help build homes that are inspected and sold like any other new build. The homes are transported in two halves and assembled on the new owner’s property. 

“Our kids don’t do all the work,” Landis said. “But they do a lot of it: framing, siding, setting windows, wiring outlets, laying tile. They work alongside professional electricians, plumbers, roofers and more.”

These houses, constructed in partnership with Careers in Construction Colorado and the Housing and Building Association, are sold to local buyers. Proceeds go back into a nonprofit that supports student-led home builds across the region. 

“We’re the only school building two houses at once,” Landis said. “When one sells, it funds the next. It’s a full-circle experience.”

The MiLL’s programs emphasize both skill development and certification. Construction students earn OSHA-10 and HBI PACT certifications and have an opportunity to earn credits in math, science and electives. 

In cabinet manufacturing, students design and build custom cabinetry from start to finish, with the opportunity to earn credentials from the Woodwork Career Alliance. Welding students learn MIG, plasma and torch cutting techniques, skills that can immediately translate to jobs in the field.

What makes the MiLL stand out, Landis says, is the strong connection to industry. “The best part is when students find something they love, like tile work or electrical, and realize, ‘Hey, I could do this for a living.’ That changes everything.”