$501,882 Skills Development Fund and $199,241 Jobs and Education Training Grant presented
AUSTIN ⎯ Ascend Performance Materials has partnered with Alvin Community College to provide job training using a $501,882 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The grant will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast area. This grant will be used to provide customized training to 283 new and incumbent workers for industry-related topics with focused instruction on pipefitting, hydraulic systems related to chemicals, plastics and synthetic fiber production. Trainees will include engineers, lab analysts and welders. Upon completion of training, the workers will receive an average wage of $41.48.
“Skills grants deliver customized training solutions that help Texas employers and workers succeed in the marketplace,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “This investment builds not only employee skills, but the capabilities of our community colleges to the benefit of employers and the community. We are pleased to make this investment.”
TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar presents a $501,882 Skills Development Fund grant check to representatives from Alvin Community College (ACC) and Ascend Performance Materials (Ascend). Pictured from left: Ascend Human Resources Intern Meagan Rickert, Ascend Human Resources Director Louis Gerona, Ascend Training and Development Lead Curt Thompson, TWC Chairman Alcantar, ACC Board of Regents Jody Droege, ACC President Dr. Christal Albrecht, ACC Board of Regents Bel Sanchez, ACC Board of Regents Mike Pyburn, and ACC Board of Regents Cheryl Knape. Photos from the event can be downloaded from our Flickr page. Photo courtesy of Alvin Community College
TWC also awarded Alvin Community College with a $199,241 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant which will help the college purchase and install equipment to provide 127 students in welding trade skills. Grant funding from the JET program will assist in developing the technical education program and simulated learning environment needed for the welding program.
The JET program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education courses and may include courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs. The equipment must be used to train students in high-demand occupations.
TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar presented a $199,241 Jobs and Education Training (JET) grant check to representatives from Alvin Community College (ACC). Pictured from left: ACC Director of Business & Technical Training Sarah Currie Harrell, ACC Workforce Training Grant Specialist Gayland Capps, TWC Office of Employer Initiatives Specialist Emily Clodfelter, ACC. Grant Coordinator & Workforce Training Specialist Charles Burgin, TWC Chairman Alcantar, ACC Board of Regents Jody Droege, ACC President Dr. Christal Albrecht, ACC Board of Regents Bel Sanchez, ACC Board of Regents Mike Pyburn, and ACC Board of Regents Cheryl Knape. Photos from the event can be downloaded from our Flickr page. Photo courtesy of Alvin Community College
Since its inception in 1996, the Skills Development Fund grants have created or upgraded more than 342,428 jobs throughout Texas. The grants have assisted 4,238 employers with their customized training needs. The Legislature allocated $48.5 million to the Skills Development Fund for the 2016-17 biennium. Employers seeking more information about the Skills Development Fund may visit the TWC website at www.texasworkforce.org/skills.
Alvin Community College contact: Communications Coordinator John Thompkins, 281-756-3551 or jtompkins@alvincollege.edu.