FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2004
CONTACT: Kay Hendricks, ACCD Coordinator of Communication
210.208.8006
ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT RECOGNIZED FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS
The Alamo Community College District received the Community Economic Development Best Practice award for the Western Region at the recent Association of Community College Trustees conference held in San Antonio. ACCD Board Chair Dr. Gene Sprague accepted the award on behalf of the board of trustees and the district.
"We are pleased to receive this recognition for our workforce development efforts," said ACCD Chancellor Dr. J. Terence Kelly. "As the number one workforce provider in our area, we are committed to working closely with our economic development partners to improve the economy of our area and the lives of its citizens."
The award recognizes ACCD’s successes in workforce development, including the key role the district played in the process of bringing the Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and Toyota companies to the area. ACCD was also honored for establishing an employer clearinghouse directly connected to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. The clearinghouse allows ACCD to meet with business prospects during the initial phase of the business development process. Business prospects are advised of the community colleges’ resources, programs and customized training capacity. ACCD assures potential businesses that the district will meet their workforce development needs by offering just-in-time training, customized instruction and unbundling of the curriculum.
"Workforce development continues to be the primary location factor for companies conducting a site selection process," said Mario Hernandez, president of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. "ACCD is an integral part of the local economic development team and is making a difference in our efforts to recruit new job-producing investment. We are glad to see ACCD receiving recognition for their outstanding work in workforce development and economic development." he added.
The award also applauded the success of ACCD’s "academies", which offer job training to high school juniors and seniors in partnership with local school districts and businesses. ACCD currently has an Aerospace Academy, an Information Technology and Security Academy and a Manufacturing Academy. The Texas Workforce Commission has allocated more than $2 million to support the ACCD academies. An additional $2.5 million has been awarded to the district to support the workforce development needs of the new Toyota plant currently under construction in south San Antonio.