(Nov.12, 2010) – Lone Star College System is one of several Texas colleges that has partnered with two statewide healthcare employers to provide job training using a $2.5 million grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
“Lone Star College System is honored to be one of the recipients of this grant,” said Pattie Harakal, co-director of Lone Star Corporate College. “Customized training is critical for maintaining the strength and competitive capabilities of future health care workers.”
The Skills Development Grant from TWC will be used statewide to train approximately 2,500 new and existing health care workers. Those trained will include registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses who will earn certifications in a variety of medical specializations. Upon completion of training, the workers will earn an average hourly wage of $30.77.
Locally, LSCS is collaborating with the Hospital Corp. of America’s Bayshore Medical Center, Clear Lake Medical Center, Kingwood Medical Center, Mainland Medical Center and Patient Account Services, said Harakal. The other healthcare employer participating in the program in other areas of the state is Universal Health Care Services.
The grant funds will supplement the RN and LVN programs already in place at LSCS and will help provide specific training needed by these local healthcare employers, said Harakal.
Other colleges in the state that are recipients of the grant funding include: Alamo Colleges, Amarillo College, Austin Community College, Grayson County College, Laredo Community College, San Jacinto College, Tarrant County College and Texas State Technical College Waco, who will administer the funds.
In fiscal year 2009, Skills Development Fund grants created or upgraded 19,516 jobs, which paid an average hourly wage of $24.44. These grants assisted 170 Texas employers with their customized training needs.
The Texas Legislature appropriated $90 million to the Skills Development Fund for 2010-11. Employers seeking more information about the Skills Development Fund may visit the TWC Web site at http://skills.texasworkforce.org.
With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for fall 2010, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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