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HCC and eye care leader Alcon launch mold maker apprenticeship program to strengthen local manufacturing workforce

Aug 13, 2025

Houston City College has launched a new Mold Maker Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Alcon, the global eye care leader.

This initiative, under the auspices of HCC’s Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub, reflects HCC’s commitment to equipping students with high-demand technical skills while meeting the workforce needs of Houston’s thriving manufacturing sector.

Delivered in collaboration with Alcon’s Houston-based manufacturing facility, the program combines HCC’s classroom instruction with on-the-job training and mentorship at Alcon. Apprentices are at work gaining hands-on experience in the specialized field of mold making and precision tooling, developing skills essential for operating, designing and maintaining injection molds—key components in the production of Alcon’s innovative eye care products.

“This apprenticeship partnership is another illustration of how HCC is preparing its students for valuable, real-world roles,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “We are grateful to Alcon for opening the doors of its manufacturing facility to our students and helping them master industry-relevant skills.”

Alcon’s Houston manufacturing facility plays a critical role in producing ophthalmic products that serve patients around the world. By integrating the firsthand training opportunity with HCC’s academic curriculum, the program offers apprentices a direct path to high-quality jobs and long-term career growth. It can also lead to certificates and associate degrees for participants.

“This initiative underscores Alcon’s dedication to uplifting and upskilling the next generation of brilliant, local minds,” said Kristen Weirick, vice president, Talent Acquisition and chief diversity officer, Alcon. “We are delighted to partner with HCC in providing local students an opportunity to build tangible skills and gain hands-on experience as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

The Alcon Houston site is located proximate to the HCC Southeast College's Felix Fraga Academic Campus, making the partnership a true neighborly collaboration.

“Here in Houston, Alcon produces innovation with the power to restore and enhance vision and impact lives around the world,” said Jennifer Via, vice president, Manufacturing and Technical Operations, Alcon Houston. “We are excited to welcome HCC’s students to our campus—just a short distance from their own—where they will receive mentorship and training from Alcon’s team of industry experts.”

The U.S. Department of Labor-registered program is part of the growing number of apprenticeships coordinated through the Apprenticeship Hub, which connects employers and educators to address local workforce demands.