Tarrant County College is one of only three colleges and universities in the nation selected to receive a $75,000 National Housing Endowment (NHE) grant to enhance the construction management technology program offered at the TCC South Campus. NHE is the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The 2017 H.E.L.P. (Housing Education Leadership Program) grant is designed to help colleges and universities around the country create, expand or enhance existing residential construction management programs.
TCC was one of 16 colleges and universities nationwide that applied for the H.E.L.P. grant in April. Three finalists –Tarrant County College, Kennesaw State University and University of Denver — made oral presentations and defended their proposals Nov. 1 at the National Housing Institute Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in front of H.E.L.P. committee members, board members and a national audience via webcast.
“The HELP grant will be used to enhance, expand and strengthen the curricular offerings in TCC’s construction management technology program–residential courses, mentorships, internships, seminars and workshops related to residential topics, as well as initiatives to increase enrollment, retention and the number of program completers,” said Orlando Bagcal, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator for the construction management technology program.
TCC’s construction management technology program began in 1996 at TCC Southeast in Arlington with 20 students. Nearly 200 students currently are enrolled. Increasing the number of trained professionals in the home building construction industry will directly address labor shortages throughout the area as construction activities in North Texas increase, according to Bagcal. TCC also plans to establish a student mentoring and/or internship program with the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association and other local home builders.
“In addition, the grant will be used to support two faculty members and two graduating students to undergo training to receive the NAHB Certified Green Professional designation and to provide scholarships for 12 graduating students in finishing the Certificate in Business Entrepreneur program,” said Bagcal. “As the region’s homebuilding industry continues to grow, quality builders will be needed in the field. TCC’s construction management technology program is a great way to do it.”
For more information about the Construction Management Technology program on the TCC South Campus, visit tccd.edu.