Capital IDEA Houston wins $2 million Department of Labor workforce training grant

Mar 21, 2024

Capital IDEA Houston (CIH), a leading community-based workforce development nonprofit organization, has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a comprehensive workforce development program over the next five years.

The CIH program will focus on providing renewable energy, transportation and broadband infrastructure sectors throughout the area. It will target unemployed, underemployed and incumbent workers, aged 18 and older who are not in school with an emphasis on low-to-moderate income individuals and historically underrepresented people.

Houston Community College (HCC) will be a key partner to provide training, apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities to as many as 425 participants over the course of five years.

Leaders for CIH and HCC will celebrate the partnership with a luncheon and panel held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at Amegy Tower, 1717 West Loop S, Houston. 

“We are thrilled to receive this grant to allow us to work with HCC to provide vital training to people in areas where there will be great demand for skilled workers,” said Michelle Paul, CIH executive director.

HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., agreed, saying that people in the training will be equipped with life-changing knowledge that will change their lives. We are committed to our thriving partnership with CIH and helping to creating a strong and vibrant Houston work force.”

CIH also has partnerships with Workforce Solutions, Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, as well as Employer Partners MCA Communications Inc., NOV-Auredia and Smart Energy Solutions. CIH is looking to add 20 additional employer Partners to the grant program this year.