STC and TSTC partnership enables state grants for workforce training
STC has announced that it is the recipient of a Texas Reskilling and Upskilling for Education (TRUE) grant meant to accelerate the number of high-value credential opportunities offered to students.
South Texas College is seizing opportunities that are urgently needed for economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic available through Texas Gov. Gregg Abbot’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.
STC has announced that it is the recipient of a Texas Reskilling and Upskilling for Education (TRUE) grant meant to accelerate the number of high-value credential opportunities offered to students.
The grant is a partnership with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen totaling more than $1.1 million, which will be shared by the two institutions.
STC’s portion includes $300,210 awarded to the college for non-credit training to 232 participants seeking to earn an industry-recognized certification in a wide range of fields. The STC award will be implemented by Continuing Professional and Workforce Education (CPWE) and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM).
The college projects that at least a minimum of 198 participants will earn an industry-recognized certification and transition to an academic college program or to the workforce.
“We are recruiting as well as assessing, selecting and enrolling individuals into different types of training programs,” said Dr. Virginia Champion, Executive Director for Resource Development, Management and Compliance at STC. “Through Continuing Education and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing we are reaching out to those students who may not exactly want an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, but who want to become a technician or specialist, which only requires a certification or industry-recognized credential in a shorter-term program. These are considered non-credit programs.”
“The TRUE grant allows both institutions to capitalize on their respective strengths and resources in an effort to build a stronger regional workforce training delivery system. Either directly or indirectly, many will benefit from this career-focused, capacity-building investment from the state. This initiative will ultimately have a positive economic impact for the entire Rio Grande Valley region.”
Participants will include those seeking certification as an EKG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, Microsoft Office Specialist or Web Developer on the Continuing Education side.
Programs in Advanced Manufacturing include Fanuc Robot Operator, CNC Machine Operator Assistant, Production Operator Assistant, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Server +, Medical Administrative Assistant, QuickBooks, Educational Aide I, Structural Welding, Pipe Welding, and Customer Service Technician.
Funds will also be set aside for the college to distribute training materials, supplies and tests, as well as for student support in the form of fuel cards for those participating in the certification programs.
STC and TSTC have long shared a goal of expanding the availability of a skilled workforce in South Texas. President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis has made it his goal to promote partnerships with other Valley institutions.
“The TRUE grant allows both institutions to capitalize on their respective strengths and resources in an effort to build a stronger regional workforce training delivery system,” said Dr. Carlos Margo, STC Associate Dean of Industry Training and Economic Development. “Either directly or indirectly, many will benefit from this career-focused, capacity-building investment from the state. This initiative will ultimately have a positive economic impact for the entire Rio Grande Valley region.”
For more information about training opportunities as well as career preparation, customized corporate training and professional development at South Texas College please visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/cpwe.html or for technology training visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/iam.html.