Manufacturing consortia partner with TSTC-Marshall for job-training grants

AUSTIN – Two manufacturing consortia have partnered with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Marshall to provide training for a total of 257 new or upgraded jobs using two job-training grants totaling $592,540 from the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Skills Development Fund. 

A $413,879 grant will be used to create or upgrade 163 positions, including equipment operators and welders, for C&J Energy Services Inc., Cudd Energy Services, General Dynamics Corp., Millennium Rail Inc. and Sam Dunn Enterprises Inc. Upon completion of training, workers will earn an average hourly wage of $13.80.

A $178,661 grant will be used to create or upgrade 94 positions, including machine operators and production supervisors, for BorgWarner Torqtransfer Systems Inc., Republic National Industries of Texas LP and Tie Tek LLC.

Upon completion of training, workers will earn an average hourly wage of $18.25.

“Through these training grants, more than 250 jobs will be created or upgraded in Texas,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “This is a great example of partnership between the private and public sectors to produce good jobs for Texans.”

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, Skills Development Fund grants created or upgraded 19,689 jobs, which paid an average hourly wage of $24.29. These grants assisted 148 Texas employers with their customized training needs. The Legislature has appropriated $50 million to the Skills Development Fund for the 2008-09 biennium. Employers seeking more information about the Skills Development Fund may visit the TWC Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/funds/sdfintro.html. 

TSTC-Marshall contact: Cindy Leleko at (903) 923-3323 or cindy.leleko@marshall.tstc.edu