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Snyder Independent School District was awarded $12,000 by the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board Wednesday afternoon as part of the Texas Talent Connections program. Pictured are (l-r) Workforce Board President Samuel Garcia, Donna Cutler, Snyder ISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Rachael McClain and Rene Ralston.
Snyder ISD was awarded $12,000 by the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board on Wednesday.
The grant will be used for students enrolled in the school district’s automotive technology and metal fabrication programs, officials said.
“We are very excited about the grant opportunity,” Snyder ISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Rachael McClain said. “Participating students will be able to earn NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) or ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications, both of which are valued industry certifications.
Students in the auto technology program will also be earning dual credit towards a Level I Automotive and Light Repair certificate from TSTC (Texas State Technical College).”
McClain said that once students complete the level I certificate, they may continue coursework leading to a level II certificate and an associate’s degree.
Students working on the NCCER certificate will earn the Core Level I certificate through a partnership with Western Texas College and may opt to continue work on additional NCCER certificates in the future.
“Students will have the opportunity for an internship with business partners in the spring semester with a paid stipend,” McClain said. “The grant award is a direct reflection of the strong collaboration between our higher education partners, — WTC and TSTC — local businesses and the school district.”
Workforce Solutions awarded a total of $89,998 to four regional school districts and Cisco College to be used for middle-skill STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), student technical training internships. The award funds are from the Texas Talent Connection program, which supports innovative education and workforce training program funding.
Other schools that received awards were Abilene ISD, $27,000 for students enrolled in Career Technical Education (CTE) welding and industrial technology; Roscoe Early College High School, $21,000 for students enrolled in agriculture and vet technician; Sweetwater ISD, $22,498 for students enrolled in wind energy technology; and Cisco College, $7,500 for students enrolled in welding and industrial technology.
The grants are managed by the Texas Workforce Investment Council in the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Division.