Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College, as the training partner for more than 70 high schools in the Rio Grande Valley, recently hosted the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for a Jobs and Education (JET) Grant presentation.
During the event, six JET Grants, totaling $1.6 million, were presented to STC Dual Credit partners Donna ISD, Sharyland ISD and South Texas ISD, as well as two other Lower Valley school districts La Feria ISD, Los Fresnos ISD and Laredo College.
Through this funding, more than 700 students will receive training in fields such as medical assistant, registered nursing and automotive service technician and mechanics through STC, and electromechanical and mechatronics, heavy tractor trailer and truck driving through other institutions of higher education in the RGV.
“We are truly honored to be a part of this collective leadership effort, where everyone is coordinating to really focus on what’s needed for our students,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “These JET Grants are critical in creating and fostering training for the most innovative and relevant career pathways that meet regional industry and economic needs. Here at STC, we’re creating access to innovative, relevant programs and career-focused opportunities.”
TWC Commissioner Albert Treviño III, said the economic impact of this investment for the RGV community is over $8.5 million.
“Not only do these grants have a large economic impact, but it is changing more than 700 lives,” he said. “This is just the beginning, and it’s because of the valuable partnerships between colleges and school districts in South Texas, and their vision, that students are able to meet the industry demands of the future.”
Donna ISD Superintendent Angela Dominguez accepted a more than $370,000 grant from the TWC during the presentation and expressed her gratitude for the award and to STC for its long-time partnership.
“We are so appreciative to the TWC for this grant. Our students are 95% economically disadvantaged and opportunities to engage in meaningful hands-on preparation can change their lives and that of their families,” said Dominguez. “This money will go toward expanding more opportunities in our health science programs, which we offer in partnership with STC. With STC, we are graduating students who are workforce-ready and prepared for life in general. This collective effort is about economic mobility and providing access to students who really need this.”
One of those students positively impacted by these efforts is Alfredo Suarez, a senior at Sharyland High School.
The 18-year-old, aspiring neurosurgeon, said he has gotten a head start at a college education as a dual credit student through STC, and through funds, like those from the TWC, he has already been able to receive hands-on training in the health care field.
“I want to thank STC and TWC, because as a student, I’ve already seen the impact that these funds and STC’s partnership are providing,” he said. “The educational leap that we’ve been able to take as students because of the training equipment and tools we can now purchase, has prepared us more than ever to continue our education.”
Information source: STC
