FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College is all gas, no brakes when it comes to career and technical education in the region. TCC Northwest has been recognized as a CTE leader in the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) network, further solidifying the community college’s commitment to workforce development and career readiness.
NC3 Executive Director Roger Tadajewski honored TCC Northwest during his remarks made at the 10th anniversary celebration for TCC’s Erma C. Johnson Hadley Northwest Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics located next to Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport.
TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker: As an NC3 Leadership School, Tarrant County College continues to set the national benchmark for excellence in career and technical education. This recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to equipping students with industry-aligned certifications that not only empower their futures but also drive economic growth in our community. By fostering strong industry partnerships and innovative training programs, we are ensuring that our graduates are workforce-ready and poised for success in high-demand careers.”
TCC plans to embed industry-recognized credentials in academic programs and offer standalone programs for upskilling and reskilling existing workers. Four areas at TCC Northwest currently offer NC3 certifications integrated into their undergraduate courses: aviation maintenance technology, geology, mathematics and welding technology.
The six-campus community college says it’s committed to leveraging the “untapped market” of short-term certificates and other micro-credentials through employer collaborations. Having these credentials should make students more attractive to employers.
Tadajewski: As a leader in career and technical education, Tarrant County College Northwest is an NC3 Leadership School committed to elevating its technical programs through strong partnerships with local and global industries. TCC Northwest’s dedication to providing students with a hands-on educational experience has made it a model for integrating industry-recognized credentials into workforce training.”
A 501c3 nonprofit, the National Coalition of Certification Centers was established to address the need for strong industry partnerships with educational institutions in order to develop, implement and sustain industry-recognized certifications that have strong validation and assessment standards.
Each year, NC3 acknowledges top-performing individuals and institutions for their leadership and innovation in Career and Technical Education. Through this partnership, TCC will have access to cutting-edge resources and technologies, ensuring that students receive education and training that align with the latest industry standards.
For more information visit the Erma C. Johnson Hadley Northwest center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics page.
About Tarrant County College
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.
About NC3
NC3 was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in synergistic partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities. In fulfilling its mission, NC3 builds deep industry-educational partnerships and develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized portable certifications and digital badges built on national skills standards. We envision an industrial labor market where all workers have jobs they need to thrive and all companies have well-trained employees they need to operate and grow. Learn more at www.nc3.net.