DALLAS—Brookhaven College will use a $327,250 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to provide custom job training to workers in the Dallas area. In partnership with Hilite International, Brookhaven College continues its commitment to support the business community and provide training opportunities to enhance the local workforce.
"Skills Development Fund grants impact the lives of workers throughout the area and allow the college to build capacity for new and innovative programs," said Vernon Hawkins, associate vice president of Workforce and Continuing Education at Brookhaven College. "Brookhaven College's partnership with Hilite International brings opportunities for exceptional training, while providing higher wages and increasing technical expertise for employees."
This grant will provide industry-related training for 267 new and incumbent workers with focused instruction on machine shop practices, measuring techniques and computer numerical control programming. Trainees will include shipping clerks, assemblers, CNC operators and maintenance technicians. Upon completion of training, workers will receive an average wage of $19.79 per hour according to TWC.
Julian Alvarez, TWC commissioner representing labor, said the partnership between Brookhaven College and Hilite International will benefit to the local community and elevate the workforce through enhanced skills.
"Our labor force is among the most talented and skilled in the world, and we continue to see and implement strategies to improve the skills of Texas workers," said Julian Alvarez, TWC commissioner representing labor.
Brookhaven College continues its commitment to support the business community and provide training opportunities to enhance the local workforce through recent partnerships and TWC Skills Development Fund grants including:
2016 - Independent Electrical Contractors, $923,756
2015 - International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., $121,055, Manufacturing Consortium II, $477,181 and Manufacturing Consortium I, $398,985
2014 - General Aluminum Company of Texas and Maxim Integrated Products - $477,181
2013 - Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Alexandria Acquisition Company, LLC, and Applegate EDM, Inc. - $373,985
"Brookhaven College Workforce and Continuing Education has utilized these grant partnerships to build relationships in the business community and to offer workers the training they need to be successful today and in the future. Regardless of the industry, this program allows the college to customize training programs to meet the needs of area employers," Hawkins said.
Left to Right – Marilyn Kolesar-Lynch, Associate Vice President for Development, Brookhaven College; Dr. Thom D. Chesney, President, Brookhaven College; Courtney Arbour, Workforce Development Division Director, Texas Workforce Commission; Mikesha Cox, Training Coordinator, Hilite International; Julie Stearman, Grants Manager, Brookhaven College; Matt Rinaldi, Texas State Representative for District 115; Vernon Hawkins, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Continuing Education