Three TCC Continuing Education Services representatives were on hand last fall when the College was among eight community colleges to receive a $2.5 million Texas Skills Development Health Care grant. TCC has partnered with nine North Texas hospitals to use the funds to provide advanced training and certificates to help fill statewide nursing shortages.
Attending the check presentation were CES Associate Vice Chancellor Troy Vaughn along with Corporate Services staffers Coordinator Jennifer Hawkins and Counselor/Instructor Fred Schmidt.
The Texas Workforce Commission awarded the grant administered by Texas State Technical College. TCC was awarded $771,500 for the first year of training and $106,392 for equipment. Receipt of the balance of the $1.5 million two-year contract is based on successful completion of the first year’s training.
A total of 750 nurses in Tarrant, Dallas and Denton counties are targeted to receive custom training in each of the two years. TCC will provide training for Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth, North Hills Hospital, Denton Regional Hospital, Medical Center of Arlington, Medical Center of Dallas, Medical Center of Lewisville, Medical Center of McKinney, Medical Center of Plano and Green Oaks Hospital of Dallas.
Statewide about 2,500 new and incumbent health care workers will be trained. Trainees will include registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses, earning certifications in a variety of medical specializations. After training, health care workers will be eligible to earn an average hourly wage of $30.77.
At the conclusion of the grant period, the equipment purchased will be turned over to TCC for educational purposes, helping the College better meet Tarrant County’s increasing training needs.