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Friday, June 05, 2009

Texas to invst $35 million in New Adult Career Education


Mike Villarreal (photo)
State Rep.

Local Leaders Urge Governor to Support Villarreal’s “Jobs and Education for Texans” and “Green Jobs” Programs

Press Conference
Monday, June 8th @ 9:30 a.m.
City Hall steps

Texas currently faces growing shortages of the skilled workers that help attract and retain business. The Legislature recently adopted legislation by State Representative Mike Villarreal, H.B. 1935, which will create the “Jobs and Education for Texans” program to provide support for innovative and successful programs that help low-income students attend community and technical colleges.

The bill includes a program to provide grants to non-profit organizations -- such as Project Quest in San Antonio -- that are providing training and support to unemployed and underemployed Texans. H.B. 1935 also creates the “Green Jobs Skills Development Fund” in order to enhance job skills and career opportunities that result in high wage jobs in fields such as renewable energy and energy efficient construction.

Rep. Villarreal will be joined by County Judge Nelson Wolff, Mayor Julian Castro, Reverend Walter D’Heedene of COPS & The Metro Alliance. A student who has participated in Project Quest’s job training program will also be present to share his personal story.

"This legislation answers our community's highest concern during this economic slow down: job creation," Villarreal said. "This legislation sends a clear message -- if you want to work hard, we want to invest in you and clear a path for you to get ahead."

"This legislation fits perfectly with our goals to elevate the educational level of our work force and to grow the local job base," Mayor Julián Castro said.

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