AT&T contributes more than $100,000 for new pilot program at South Texas College to increase first responder certification training
Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX — A new pilot program to match the needs of low-income students with the ongoing demand for skilled first responders is open for students now as part of a pilot program offered by South Texas College.
Local officials joined college leadership for the official launch of the program, which will target 80 low-income students and existing firefighters and first responders in a program to complete or re-certify their first responder certification. With a grant from AT&T, the pilot program will cover all costs associated with the first responder certification, including tuition, assessments, job placement and background checks.
“The demand for highly skilled professionals in public safety, law enforcement, fire science and homeland security is increasing rapidly, and South Texas College is meeting the needs of our community now through the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, President of South Texas College. “Our partnership today with AT&T will further our goal to prepare more first responders in South Texas as well as help us target low-income students with a program to help them achieve the goal of first responder certification. We greatly appreciate AT&T funding this pilot program, which will cover all manner of costs – from tuition to job placement.”
Leslie Ward, President of AT&T-Texas, added, “AT&T is committed to our first responders. We also are committed to our local communities and to students. The AT&T grant to the South Texas College coordinates those missions and we are very proud today to support their efforts to ensure the safety of the Rio Grande Valley while providing increased opportunities for students to complete or re-certify their first responder training.”
