WACO, Texas — Texas State Technical College (TSTC) is set to receive a grant of more than $179,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Governor Greg Abbott announced in a release on Wednesday, April 24.
The Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant, totaling $179,538, will provide 100 new and current employees of Hendrick Health System with customized training in healthcare, healthcare compliance, medical billing and other high-demand occupations, said Abbott in the announcement.
“As our state and economy continue to grow, it is critical that we invest in our workforce to ensure key industries have the talent they need to thrive,” said Abbott. “This job training grant to Texas State Technical College will help equip Texans in Waco with the skills they need to excel in high-demand healthcare positions and ensure we are able to meet the healthcare needs of Texans. Working with the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners, we are proud to help prepare our workforce to succeed and thrive as we build an even bigger, better Texas for all.”
SDF is Texas' workforce training grant program, said the Governor, meant to help businesses "upskill" their workforce. Abbott said TWC collaborates with the public community and technical colleges, workforce development boards and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to provide "customized, innovative training to Texas businesses of all sizes".
“Bringing together partners in education and industry is essential to sustaining and improving the Texas workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “By upskilling a hundred workers for critical occupations in the healthcare industry, this SDF grant will benefit the local area and Texas’ entire economy.”
At a ceremony at TSTC's Industrial Technology Center in Abilene, TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza presented the award to TSTC representatives, Hendrick Health System and other local partners.
According to Abbott, the SDF grant program has provided training opportunities in partnership with more than 4,800 employers to "upgrade or support" the creation of over 420,000 jobs throughout Texas since the program began in 1996.
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