Houston City College launches workforce connection, reconnect programs

“Not everyone needs or wants a four-year degree,” said Daniel Dylla, HCC director of instructional initiatives. “Right now, Houston needs skilled workers who can quickly step into roles where demand is high.”

Zooming out

The college also launched its Houston Reconnect Initiative, a scholarship program aimed at supporting students financially by paying tuition and fees for those who are interested in finishing their degree at HCC.

The program is the first of its kind in the state of Texas, following efforts that were piloted in other markets, including Tennessee and Massachusetts, HCC Southwest College President Michael Webster said in an email.

Eligible students must:

• Be 25 years or older
• Have earned a 2.5 GPA at HCC
• Have earned 15 credit hours toward a credential of value or 25 hours toward an associate’s degree
• Have been out of college between one and five years
• Have no outstanding debt with HCC

“Both of these programs allow HCC to make a profound difference for people who may wish to quickly earn a credential or move on toward an academic degree,” Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher said. “We are keenly aware of the needs of our region’s employers, and we are helping people on their path toward taking jobs that need to be filled.”

Going forward

Information on the Connect 2 Workforce program is available at www.hccs.edu/connect2, while students interested in the reconnect program should request information at [email protected].