(June 29, 2010) – Lone Star College System announced that it has partnered with National Oilwell Varco to provide job training through an $883,212 Skills Development Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
The grant will be used to train 415 new and incumbent workers at NOV. The customized training, which will take place at several NOV locations in the greater Houston area, will enhance employees’ skills to help them improve productivity and efficiency, and to maintain quality manufacturing processes and products.
Those being trained through the grant include machinists, electrical and electronic equipment assemblers, and installation maintenance and repair workers. When training is complete, the workers will be able to earn an average wage of $21.85 an hour.
“We are very excited about this grant and being able to facilitate this process between Lone Star College, the Texas Workforce Commission and National Oilwell Varco,” said Kristen Lue King, director of grant development for the Resource Development and Administration Department at LSCS. “Ultimately, these funds will help Texas workers gain marketable skills that can be used on the job now and as they continue their careers.
“Lone Star College is committed to finding additional funding opportunities to support the unique needs of local businesses,” King said.
This training at NOV is being facilitated by Lone Star Corporate College representatives who will develop, upgrade and maintain the curriculum.
According to Chairman Tom Pauken, the Texas Workforce Commission last year created or upgraded 19,516 jobs and assisted 170 Texas employers through its Skills Development Fund grants.
“TWC makes these grants available each year, helping hundreds of Texas employers and workers succeed,” said Pauken. “We take pride in the fact that we can continue to provide businesses a ready and skilled workforce.”
The Texas Legislature appropriated $90 million to the Skills Development Fund for the 2010-11 biennium. Employers seeking more information about the fund may visit the TWC Web site at http://skills.texasworkforce.org.
With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS 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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