For the greater economic good
$141K grant to fund training for automotive workers locally
Aprogram aimed at training 75 local automotive workers received a $141,231 boost Friday from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Julian Alvarez, of the commission, presented a check to Texarkana College and Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas.
The $141,231 grant will be used in collaboration with McLarty Ford to give advanced training in sales, service, mechanics and auto parts to new and incumbent employees of the dealership.
Alvarez, the commissioner representing labor, said companies and colleges must change with the times to give workers top job training.
“The face of manufacturing is changing every day as we see it,” he said, adding that the economic impact of the grant is $919,000. “Times have changed. We need to keep up with those changes and you’re doing that here, that’s exampled by this grant you’ve applied for.”
The commissioner also complimented the Texarkana community, stating entities in the area work together for the greater economic good.
“You’ve got the business community working with the local community college and then you’ve got the ISDs and their presence,” he said. “And then you’ve got the leadership of not only those who represent us in Austin but those here locally.”
Randy Reed, executive director of Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas, said TC has received approximately $750,000 in Skills Development Grant funding in the past five years, and explained how the grants work.
He said the Skills Development Fund is Texas’ premier job training program providing local customized training
opportunities for Texas businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages. TWC will administer the funding for the program. “The success this program has had is achieved through collaborations with businesses, the public, community developers and the workforce board,” he said. “Texarkana College has an exemplary record of utilizing the Skills Development Fund to assist businesses and in turn provide a real benefit to workers. It has increased the economic vitality of the community.”
McLarty Ford owner Todd Shores and his wife Michelle also gave $25,000 to the TC Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship to fund the school’s Presidential Scholarships.