HCC Apprenticeship program to be highlighted at Open House
Nov 4, 2016
Houston Community College (HCC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, will host an Apprenticeship Open House from 2:00– 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15 at the West Loop Campus, 5601 W. Loop S. Houston, TX 77081 as part of the Second Annual National Apprenticeship Week.
The event will highlight the successful Apprenticeship program at HCC, as well as a facility tour and a special panel where attendees can hear from Texas Workforce Commissioner (Labor Representative) JP Morgan Chase, CVS Health, Houston Area Plumbing and several former apprentices. The open house is free and open to the public and business community.
HCC has offered an apprenticeship program for over 30 years and has trained many employees in fields like plumbing, ironworkers, pharmacy technician and soon to be information technology.
“The HCC apprenticeship model embodies what our vision for HCC is all about,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor. “We are answering the community’s needs by training the workforce of tomorrow while giving individuals the tools and skills relevant to industry demands.”
In 2015, HCC received a $4.2M American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant to implement new or enhance old apprenticeship models.
“Having the opportunity to be a part of history by addressing the ‘skills gap’ workforce is currently facing, while training and employing thousands of individuals in a ‘earn while you learn’ apprenticeship model is historical,” said Janell Hills, program director, American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant.
Apprenticeship programs at HCC combine work-based learning with related classroom instruction using the highest industry standards. Companies that offer apprenticeship programs can diversify their workforce, improve productivity and profitability, standardize training, reduce turnover, receive tax credits, and more.
“While 75 years ago, the apprenticeship system began in construction and other skilled trades, today there are apprenticeships in more than 1,000 occupations, including careers in healthcare, IT, energy and more,” said James Carnes, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship. “The goal of the National Apprenticeship Week and open house events like this one is to educate businesses and leaders about the importance of Apprenticeship programs. These programs can lead to great jobs that also help positively impact our economy.”
The U.S. currently has approximately 375,000 apprentices working with more than 150,000 employers.Last year, President Obama established a goal of doubling the number of Apprenticeships within five years. The inaugural National Apprenticeship Week is one of several initiatives helping achieve that goal.
For more information about the HCC Apprenticeship program, visit hccs.edu/continuingeducation.