Julian Alvarez III, left, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission, gath... Julian Alvarez III, left, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission, gathered Thursday with Temple College and Baylor Scott & White leaders, and representatives from the Texas legislature to celebrate the awarding of a $408,584 Skills Development Fund grant. (Photos by Steve Lemmons, Temple College.)

Temple College, along with partners from Baylor Scott and White Health and the Texas Workforce Commission, celebrated the awarding of a $408,584 Skills Development Fund Grant Thursday afternoon on the College’s main campus.

Julian Alvarez III, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission, was on hand for a ceremony to present the funds, which are used to train employees in various courses, including: Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Terminology and Customer Service for Healthcare Professionals.

Julian Alvarez III, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission, speaks to ... Julian Alvarez III, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission, speaks to the crowd.

(See the complete photo gallery of the event.)

Julie Escamilla, Temple College’s Director of Workforce Development, said that the grant has already funded the training of 189 students this year – an exponential increase in the number of students who’ve been trained in years past.

“The success is that we’re changing lives in the community,” Escamilla said, adding that the 189 students had been trained at 16 locations, leading to 65 new employee hires and 124 jobs being upgraded.

Dr. Michael Turturro, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Baylor Scott and White, shared stories about some of the students – their motivations for signing up, their dedication to push through, and the results. He said any logistical challenges associated with the launch of the programs are worth the results of more people having jobs and a bolstered healthcare system.

Before a ceremonial signing of the check, Alvarez spoke about the importance of key innovative partnerships – like the one between Temple College and Baylor Scott and White – to build talent pipelines that build industries and, echoing Escamilla, change the lives of people entering the workforce.

He also took time to thank members of the Texas legislature, who were represented, for their efforts to direct funding to workforce initiatives.

Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce emceed the gathering of nearly 50 people in the Temple College Pavilion. She thanked the partners gathered in the room and said that Temple community is special because of the collaborations that take place among key stakeholders to meet the needs of the people and the workforce.

“Everybody comes together for the greater good,” she said.

Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce welcomes guests and thanks partners for their collabor... Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce welcomes guests and thanks partners for their collaboration to meet the needs of of students and the community workforce.

During the ceremony, DeDe Griffith, Temple College’s Vice President for Workforce Development, took time to thank the staff of the College’s Business and Continuing Education Division and the faculty members who serve the students funded by the grant.

ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE

Temple College is a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of students throughout Central Texas and beyond with the knowledge and skills for 21st century success. Temple College offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree, or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.

Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed an excellent academic reputation for more than 96 years and is nationally recognized for excellence in its programs from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics, and the College has become one of the premiere institutions in the state for education and training of health care providers and advanced manufacturing and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.