“Capital IDEA funds qualified participants’ tuition, books and childcare and provides a class caseworker who meets with each student monthly to clear any hurdles they may encounter,” Fleming continued, “and when their training is complete, Capital IDEA works with each student to find employment with good salaries, benefits and opportunity for career growth.”
Free orientations sessions for a unique and funded training program opportunity began Feb.16 and will continuing through Feb. 25 with two additional presentations. Free and open to the public, these sessions are for the first class of Capital IDEA participants, and are scheduled to begin in the 2010 summer or fall semester at Lone Star College-North Harris.
The purpose of the orientation sessions is to explain the unique chance available for individuals who are looking for well-paying jobs and are willing to invest the time and effort required to prepare for those jobs.
The program–Capital IDEA-Houston–is partnering with LSC-North Harris, Houston area businesses, and The Metropolitan Organization (TMO), a coalition of Houston-area churches, to offer educational services that lead to life-long financial stability.
“Capital IDEA acts as a bridge to connect committed, yet underemployed individuals to employers in need of highly skilled workers,” explained Bob Fleming, vice president of the organization.
After hearing that many of their members needed good jobs and good wages, the churches -- who are members of The Metropolitan Organization -- began organizing to establish Capital IDEA in Houston.
“The Houston program is the churches’ response to the needs of their members,” Fleming pointed out. “Now, the individual churches are publicizing the upcoming orientation sessions so that those interested can learn more about the program–which is open to everyone–and so they can enroll in the first class.
Capital IDEA was initially created through the efforts of Austin Interfaith and the Central Texas business community.
“Churches, businesses and community colleges–the three partner groups needed for the program–have lobbied the state’s legislature to bring additional money to these projects,” Fleming said, “and State Treasurer Susan Combs has worked especially hard to bring funding to the programs in Austin, San Antonio and Houston.”
There are four churches working in partnership with the Houston Project in the Lone Star College-North Harris area. The first church, Assumption Catholic held its session on Feb. 16. Additional, orientation times, locations and phone numbers for more information are:
First Metropolitan Church -- 8870 E. Sam Houston Parkway, West Road exit. Orientation scheduled Feb.18 at 7 p.m. Phone: 713.983.7878.
· Northwest Assistance Ministries – 15555 Kuykendahl. Orientation is scheduled Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Phone: 281.885.4555.
· St. Leo the Great Catholic Church at 2131 Lauder. Orientation scheduled Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Phone: 281.449.2344.
“Capital IDEA funds qualified participants’ tuition, books and childcare and provides a class caseworker who meets with each student monthly to clear any hurdles they may encounter,” Fleming continued, “and when their training is complete, Capital IDEA works with each student to find employment with good salaries, benefits and opportunity for career growth.”
“Students are not required to take out loans or pay any money for the entire two years of training,” he emphasized. “We also provide childcare subsidy money and we have a small fund should any emergencies arise…and developmental courses in English and Math will be offered free of charge so students can pass the college entrance exam.”
Registered students can take classes daytime or evening. For most of the jobs, training requires an associate degree. “At that point, the student is prepared to apply for jobs,” Fleming explained, “and we have partners in the business community who will interview the students and make offers to those qualified. In a few cases, students may earn a certificate, which may require less than the usual two years of training.”
The Capital IDEA Houston program is initially training students for jobs paying $15 to $20 an hour with benefits and career ladder opportunities in the health care and energy industries.
In health care, jobs include surgical technologist, Associate Degree Nursing (RN), respiratory care practitioner, paramedic, certified pharmacy technologist, health information technology with programs ranging from level-one certificates to associate degrees.
In the energy field, jobs include precision measurement, welding technology, electrician, instrument and control technicians and process technicians.
The Capital IDEA Austin program serves 200 to 300 students each year. Graduation and placement rates run about 90 percent and the 10-year-old program has won awards across the nation.
“Our support system for Capital IDEA students covers all the bases and removes many barriers to success,” Fleming pointed out. “We’ve found most students who are not successful in community colleges are dealing with time and financial pressures. We take care of those with our scholarships, subsidies and case management support.”
The Capital IDEA program includes an accelerated developmental studies academy for those students who are not quite ready to tackle college work. Capital IDEA students in need of this support will start at LSC-Greenspoint to complete the courses in a 12-week accelerated program.
Dr. Larry Rideaux, LSC-North Harris associate vice president, is committed to helping these students succeed.
“We understand the reality that many students need help to master reading, writing, and math courses. LSC-North Harris faculty and academic support services have partnered with Capital IDEA to ensure these students can be successful in college courses,” says Dr. Rideaux. “We are pleased to house the Capital IDE-Houston program at LSC-Greenspoint.”
“We’re looking for people who are highly motivated, want to do better and are willing to organize themselves and are disciplined to take advantage of a program like this,” said Fleming. “We only train for jobs we have employers for and we hope to develop other fields of training.”
“The best thing about this program,” Fleming continued, “is that we know that it works. We’re as close as you can come to be sure you can help people…that we’ll be successful in helping others be successful.”
For additional information, contact Dr. Larry Rideaux at 281.260.3550.
Lone Star College-Greenspoint Center is located at 250 N. Sam Houston E. For more information about the center, call 281.260.3500 or visit: lonestar.edu/greenspoint-center.htm
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Center, LSC-University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. With more than 62,000 students in credit classes this fall, LSCS is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and third largest community college system in Texas. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
###
Feb 12. , 2010
CALENDAR LISTING: through Feb. 23, 2010
Media Contact:
C.C. Sutphen
281.618.5425, desk
281.639.6381, cell