NRG invests $103,000 in Houston City College apprenticeships, strengthening Texas energy workforce

Houston City College (HCC) has received a $103,000 investment from NRG Energy, Inc., to expand apprenticeship opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers in the growing Texas energy sector.

The investment will expand HCC's apprenticeship pathways in instrumentation and controls, providing students with the technical skills and hands-on experience needed for careers in the energy industry.

“Industry is no longer simply advising higher education; it is helping shape it,” said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “Through partnerships like this with NRG, Houston City College is preparing students for careers that are in demand today while building the workforce Texas will need tomorrow.”

“Demand for skilled labor continues to grow, and we're always looking for strong partnerships to help develop the talent needed to meet the challenges facing the energy industry,” said Matthew Pistner, president, NRG Wholesale. “NRG is proud to support the Houston City College Foundation with this donation that will help students gain real-world skills, prepare for rewarding careers and help keep good jobs rooted in Houston. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with HCC that benefits Houstonians today and tomorrow.”

The instrumentation and controls programs at HCC combine classroom instruction with hands-on training developed in partnership with employers. Graduates are prepared for careers in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting automated systems that support power generation and industrial operations.

The NRG announcement comes amid broader efforts to strengthen the workforce pipeline, including Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $17M investment with HCC to expand apprenticeships, skilled trades training and dual-credit opportunities for high school students, and the Lowe’s Foundation Gables Grant to expand local training programs for high-demand skilled trades.

“These partnerships reflect HCC’s commitment to co-creating workforce solutions with industry leaders, ensuring students graduate with the skills employers need and that employers have access to a pipeline of highly trained talent,” Dr. Ford Fisher said.

Overall, HCC serves more than 100,000 students annually and partners with employers and industry partners to align workforce education with industry needs. The college operates 20 campuses throughout the Houston region featuring state-of-the-art labs and advanced technology.

(From left) HCC Trustee Sean Cheben, Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., Matthew Pistner, president of NRG Wholesale, and Thomas Gleeson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas