HCC creates gateway from apprenticeship to college degree

Jan 13, 2015

Houston Community College Apprenticeship program has been appointed as a gateway college to promote the new U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Education Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium (RACC). This appointment will allow HCC graduates of apprenticeship programs to turn their on-the-job and classroom training into college credits.

“Through this initiative, RACC members such as HCC, enhance the competitiveness of the businesses in their communities by enlarging the pool of highly-trained workers,” said Madeline Burillo, associate vice chancellor, HCC Workforce Instruction & Division of Extended Learning.

The Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium is an "earn while you learn" model that provides a combination of on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.

“RACC offers job seekers immediate employment opportunities that usually pay higher than average wages and offer continued career growth,” said Burillo. “Apprentices gain the opportunity to apply their training to two and four-year college programs. RACC is a highly versatile training strategy that aligns and advances the goals of life-long learning.”

In partnership with the Apprenticeship and Training Association of Texas and the Independent Electrical Contractors, Houston Community College offers college credit for apprenticeship completers in plumbing, electrical, iron workers, pipefitters, and glaziers just to name a few. For more information, call 713.718.5835.