Austin Community College announced Nov. 24 that it will provide specialized training for three Central Texas technology firms with funding from a $2.75 million grant awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission.



The Skills Development Fund grant from TWC will be used by ACC's continuing education division to develop individualized training programs for employees of Samsung, TNT Solutions, and Voltabox of Texas. Samsung and TNT have offices in Austin, while Voltabox, headquartered in Germany, broke ground in September on a Cedar Park site that will be its first facility in the United States.



"Our Skills Development Fund provides customized training for high-wage, high-demand jobs," TWC commissioner Hope Andrade said in a news release. "The grant we are announcing with Austin Community College supports the advanced manufacturing and information technology industries in this region and will provide many Texans with specialized training to further their careers."



According to ACC, almost 500 engineering and technician employees will receive customized training in robotics, electronics and schematics.



"Our partnership with ACC is an investment," Samsung public affairs director Catherine Morse said in the release. "The training programs impact the entire Samsung operation. Workers get the specialized training they need and the community benefits from a more highly-skilled workforce."



Skills Development Fund grants have created or upgraded more than 300,456 jobs throughout the state since its inception in 1996, according to ACC.