Brighter paths at PC
AT&T supports college’s Pathway Program with $20,000
Porterville College received Thursday a $20,000 contribution from AT&T to the college’s Pathways Program.
“The support provided by AT&T will help provide assistance to individuals who are unemployed, under-employed, and economically disadvantaged as well as enhance and improve the college’s capacity to provide workforce development training to meet the needs of the community, industry, and our students,” said Bill Henry, Porterville College interim president.
The contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative, which seeks to drive innovation in education and promote student success in school and beyond. Since 2008, AT&T has made a financial commitment of $400 million to its Aspire initiative.
“Through AT&T Aspire, we are investing in San Joaquin Valley’s students to give them the opportunity to learn and to prepare them for success,” said Julie Tone, director of External Affairs, AT&T California.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the college, Porterville Unified School District as well as city and county government.
Tulare County Supervisor Mike Ennis applauded the contribution from AT&T, saying that it will “[help] the people locally that need this extra education to improve their lives. That’s the important thing. Improving your life, increasing your income, so you can give yourself and your family a better life.”
The $20,000 contribution will be used to support the Pathways Program, a dualenrollment program that is a collaborative effort between PC, PUSD academies, and local businesses and community agencies to incorporate career-specific education with traditional coursework.
The funding will also allow Porterville College to expand its offerings and support, which will enable adults to complete a job skills certificate in Industrial Technology and/or a certificate of achievement in Industrial Maintenance.
Attendees of the ceremony were given a tour of the college’s Industrial Technology facilities, and PC staff explained how the money will help provide equipment and supplies for the welding shop and other areas where enrollment interest exceeds current resources. The college’s Industrial Technology program also focuses on programmable logic controllers, electronic, and applied mathematics.