TVCC press release
Trinity Valley Community College has received notification that it has received a $375,000 Wagner-Peyser Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The award will facilitate TVCC’s partnership with the Terrell Independent School District to establish college courses and programs designed in the area of manufacturing.
Specifically, the TVCC-Terrell ISD partnership will target high school juniors and seniors (over age 14) and adult populations to acquire various manufacturing technologies. This will be the first time that college Career and Technical Education courses have been available to Terrell High School students from TVCC and the first time that Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) courses have been available to adult populations in Kaufman County.
The grant will mostly aid in the procurement of equipment and software for the program. TVCC will offer college/dual credit classes at the Terrell High School Career and Technology Education (CTE) building.
“We appreciate the opportunity to bring this training and technology to Terrell and the forward thinking of Terrell ISD administration to enter into this partnership. Many businesses in Kaufman county are having to search nationally for people to hire into these positions. This partnership will enable local residents to stay and work in Terrell and Kaufman County.” — David McAnally, TVCC’s Associate Vice President for Workforce Education.
The first phase of training will include courses leading to certificate programs in Machining and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing/Computer Numerical Control (CAD/CAM/CNC). Successful high school students should be able to complete at least one college MET certificate program and be prepared for employment after high school graduation.
Kaufman County currently supports a large number of manufacturing facilities/jobs. The jobs that these industries create are largely high-tech, high-wage positions.
“In order to bring new manufacturing jobs into the area and increase the current workforce, there must be people trained in those areas,” TVCC MET Instructor Sam Austin said.
Data suggests the growth of machinists in Texas will rise by 24 percent through 2022. Currently, machinists in Texas average $18.59 per hour or $38,700 annually. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operator/programmers average $21.61 per hour or $44,900 per year with an increase in jobs of 29 percent by 2022.
“Through this grant, and paired with substantial funding provided by local industry leaders, our students will have the opportunity to learn skills that will prepare them to enter the workforce or continue their education in manufacturing,” Terrell ISD Superintendent Micheal French said. “We are excited about partnering with TVCC and local manufacturing companies to provide our students with more robust manufacturing, engineering and welding programs.”
The Wagner-Peyser Act established a national public Employment Service as part of the New Deal legislation passed in 1933. Following the Great Depression of 1929, it was intended to help the unemployed get back to work while benefiting employers by referring potential workers. Wagner-Peyser grants in Texas are administered through the Governor’s office by the Texas Workforce Commission for workforce training projects leading to job placement, increased wages and job retention. Grants may also support exemplary projects delivering workforce services in more efficient and innovative ways to groups with special needs. Grants are given to non-profits, universities, community colleges and community based organizations.
“I appreciate the efforts of David McAnally, grant coordinator Dusty Baumann and Sam Austin in the procurement and funding of the Wagner-Peyser Grant,” TVCC Vice President of Instruction Jerry King said. “This is a great partnership between Terrell ISD and TVCC. The Wagner-Peyser Grant and partnership will help TVCC and Terrell ISD better serve our students as well as the workforce needs of Terrell and Kaufman County.”
For more information concerning the program, please contact David McAnally at Trinity Valley Community College at [email protected] or call 903-675-6266.