Contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819;
ahatch@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Nov. 7, 2014
(DALLAS) — It’s the perfect combination for veterans: Mix military experience with programs in manufacturing to create jobs and start new careers. The program — Military 2 Manufacturing, or M2M — with the Dallas County Community College District offers free training to former military members who are looking for career fields that will complete or upgrade the skills in manufacturing they already have.
M2M at DCCCD began a month ago when the Texas Workforce Commission launched the Veteran and Industry Partnership, or VIP, an initiative designed to create jobs for veterans and to supply a skilled workforce for the state’s most in-demand industries: petrochemical, advanced manufacturing and information technology. TWC designated $4.3 million from the Skills Development Fund to start the initiative, which brings together industry associations, local Workforce Solutions partners and the state’s community colleges to develop training in key industry occupations for veterans.
At DCCCD, those funds are being used for M2M — or training that focuses on manufacturing. Three colleges in the system are offering M2M programs in advanced manufacturing:
- Mountain View College is focusing on training for general welders, maintenance welders, manufacturing logistics technicians, and manufacturing process and production technicians.
- The Richland College-Garland Campus is providing VIP training for manufacturing logistics technicians, manufacturing design specialists and precision machine operators.
- The Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development, a campus of El Centro College, offers M2M training for computer numerical controls (CNC), welding fundamentals, fabrication welding, combination welding, arts metals (or metal sculpturing), pipe welding and industrial maintenance mechanics.
Dr. Hamaria Crockett, who directs DCCCD’s College Credit for Heroes program, oversees M2M and said, “This new grant will provide an opportunity for veterans to train in high-demand areas without using their VA benefits. Advanced manufacturing is the wave of the future in the DFW area. We urge veterans in our area to enroll in this free training program that focuses on manufacturing so that they can upgrade their current skills.”
Andres Alcantar, chairman of the TWC, said, “VIP recognizes the exceptional skills that veterans bring to the workforce and strives to connect them with jobs in expanding industries. We are proud to partner with our community colleges and Texas employers to train them in high-demand occupations.”
Local workforce development boards have partnered with industry leaders and 17 colleges throughout Texas to identify high-demand workforce needs in local areas and to develop training programs for veterans as part of the VIP initiative. Short-term certificate attainment and industry-recognized credentials are included in all three industry training initiatives, according to TWC.
All eligible U.S. veterans can participate in VIP. Funds have been allocated to DCCCD and other community colleges across the state regionally, based on the veteran population and available industry jobs in those areas.
Employers who hire veterans also may qualify to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides a $9,600 tax credit on federal business income or payroll tax benefits when they hire a qualifying veteran.
For more information about DCCCD’s M2M program, send an email to
M2M@dcccd.edu or call Crockett at (214) 378-1759.
For training questions about programs at each of the three DCCCD colleges participating in M2M, call: Mountain View College at (214) 860-8609; Richland College-Garland Campus at (214) 360-1201; or the Bill J. Priest Institute at (214) 860-5806.
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