Relevance
Rural and low-income residents lack or are unaware of the opportunities in alternative learning and skills training outside of college degree programs. PVAMU’s Texas Rural Workforce Academy seeks to increase the number of skilled individuals who enter the job market pursuing a career that will enable them to take care of their families.
Response
This pilot program aims to provide the unemployed and underemployed rural community members an opportunity to receive training in high-demand jobs. Adults, and college students, received soft skills training and skills trade training to prepare for high-demand professions, including welding, construction, electrical, and nursing. The project affects the community by adding to the county’s economy.
Results
We graduated 303 pre-apprentices who attended one of the skills trades training and 145 Registered apprentices currently employed through employee partnerships. The Department of Labor approved job supplemental pay to employers through the Apprenticeship Program at $20 per hour up to 4,000 hours.