The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce partnered with Houston Community College and other higher education institutions to provide full tuition to 300 students seeking short-term industry-driven certifications.
The gist
At a March 5 ceremony announcing the partnership, officials said the certificates are a starting point for potential job-seekers looking to develop their careers in information technology.
In addition to receiving technical skills, HCC will aid scholarship recipients in developing soft skills to support career planning, such as teamwork, collaboration and leadership, HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher said.
“A skilled workforce is a magnet that draws industries and corporations to the region and continues the growing economy and prosperity that benefits us all,” Fisher said. “Scholarship recipients will not only remain skilled, but they will be better prepared for leadership goals in their career field.”
How they got here
The Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education, or TRUE, grant is aimed at providing residents with industry-recognized certifications through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Since the TRUE grant’s inception in 2020, about 40 grants totaling nearly $13 million have been awarded to junior colleges and technical schools, according to the THECB.
The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce received $600,000 from the THECB in partnership with HCC, Wharton County Junior College and Texas State Technical College, according to the THECB.
This is the largest amount granted to a chamber of commerce since its inception, FBCC Chairman Jim Rice said.
Digging deeper
Rice said HCC Southwest’s Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence will receive $200,000 to fund 300 certifications in one of its industry-driven programs, including:
- A+ Certification, for roles such as help desk technician, IT support specialist or technical support specialist
- Network+ Certification, for roles such as network administrator or support specialist
- Security+ Certification, for roles such as cybersecurity technician, IT security support specialist or network security technician
There are about 9,000 positions in these disciplines available in the Houston area, HCC Southwest President Michael Webster said. HCC Southwest comprises four campuses, including in Stafford and Missouri City.
About the programs
The industry-driven programs offered through the Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence range in length from 12-15 months. These programs are a starting point for many students to further their education, said Joseph Fleishman, associate dean of the center.
“The goal is to get them across the finish line and get an industry credential in their hand,” Fleishman said. “[A certification] will allow students to enter the workforce more rapidly, because when an employer looks at that certificate, they know what that means.”
About 82% of students who complete the programs find jobs in IT within one year of graduation, Fleishman said. Although there is an emphasis on infrastructure, cybersecurity and network fundamentals, industry-based programs at the center expand skills into more niche job roles in IT, such as artificial intelligence.
“Any company that uses technology is at risk of security or needs networking. So if you use technology, you need these graduates,” he said.
Students seeking certifications through the center typically start off in support roles, such as help desk, and move into network or security analyst and engineering positions after pursuing more credentials and work experience, said Samir Sabre, the center’s dean. The industry-based programs provide graduates who are knowledgeable about business fundamentals through their technical training.
“You learn about hardware, you learn about how devices connect to each other, how they're secure,” he said. “There's a huge business side of it too, because when you learn about cybersecurity, you're not just learning about protecting your device or hacking it, you learn about compliance, the [company’s] policies, the legal side of it.”
Looking ahead
Scholarship eligibility is open to all HCC students regardless of Fort Bend County residence, an HCC official said. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students interested in receiving the scholarship could enroll in certification programs for the spring 2025 semester.
HCC is still building a landing page for the TRUE grant-sponsored scholarships, officials said. In the meantime, prospective applicants can call the Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence at 713-718-2798 or email [email protected] for more information.
