Representatives announcing the job training grant are (left to right): Marilyn Kolesar-Lynch, associate vice president for development, BHC; Dr. Thom D. Chesney, president, BHC; Courtney Arbour, Workforce Development Division director, TWC; Mikesha Cox, training coordinator, Hilite International; Julie Stearman, grants manager, BHC; Texas State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, District 115; and Vernon Hawkins, BHC associate vice president for workforce and continuing education.
Contact: Meridith Danforth
972-860-4823;
mdanforth@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Jan. 23, 2018
(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’s partnership with Hilite International brings opportunities for exceptional training and also provides higher wages and increasing technical expertise for employees.”
The grant will provide industry-related training for 267 new and current 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. When they complete their training, Hilite 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 Alvarez.
“The division of workforce and continuing education at Brookhaven College uses 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,” said Hawkins.
For more information, contact Meridith Danforth, assistant director for marketing and public information at Brookhaven College, by phone at 972-860-4823 or by email at
mdanforth@dcccd.edu.
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