Houston City College selected for ‘National Workforce Futures Accelerator’

Houston City College (HCC) has been selected as one of 15 community colleges nationwide to participate in the inaugural Workforce Futures Accelerator, a three-year initiative led by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) with support from Google.org.

The initiative will help HCC embed virtual, project-based learning opportunities into workforce education programs, giving students opportunities to work on real-world projects sponsored by employers while building skills and professional connections that can help prepare them for careers.

“Participation by HCC will strengthen how we provide students with career-connected learning experiences that complement their classroom education and align with the needs of employers,” Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “We are focused on ‘future forward’ strategies to meet the present and future needs of our region’s businesses.”

Colleges like HCC are experiencing growing demand for short-term, workforce-aligned credentials that provide flexible and accelerated pathways into high-demand careers. However, accelerated programs can leave limited time for hands-on experiences that help students demonstrate their skills to prospective employers.

Through the three-year initiative, HCC will identify two workforce programs in which to incorporate virtual, employer-sponsored projects directly into coursework.

“Houston City College is leading the way in create opportunities for our area,” said HCC Board of Trustees Chair Eva Loredo. “We are delighted to be a partner in this ACCT initiative and with Google.org.”

The virtual format expands access to employer-connected learning opportunities, allowing students to participate regardless of whether similar opportunities are available in their local communities.

"The Workforce Futures Accelerator reflects the Houston City College mission of offering a high-quality, affordable education for workforce training and career development," said HCC Trustee Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Ph.D., chair-elect of the ACCT Board of Directors. "Advancing student success and creating pathways to opportunities ensures that our students are well equipped to succeed and build a secure future in today's economy."

HCC is one of 14 other community colleges selected for the inaugural Workforce Futures Accelerator cohort. Others include:

• Bergen Community College – Paramus, New Jersey
• Central Louisiana Community College – Alexandria, Louisiana
• Clark State College – Springfield, Ohio
• Grayson College – Denison, Texas
• Great Basin College – Elko, Nevada
• Heartland Community College – Normal, Illinois
• Hudson County Community College – Jersey City, New Jersey
• Lamar Institute of Technology – Beaumont, Texas
• Manchester Community College – Manchester, New Hampshire
• Mesa Community College – Mesa, Arizona
• Mohave College – Kingman, Arizona
• San Joaquin Delta Community College – Stockton, California
• San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico
• West Virginia University Parkersburg – Parkersburg, West Virginia