Austin, TX – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently awarded Austin Community College (ACC) $428,136 to develop and implement the Texas Automotive Careers (TAC) project. The program will prepare students for entry level jobs in the automotive industry, fulfilling the employment and training needs of Central Texas automotive employers. TAC is a collaboration between ACC, the Beasley Group and WorkSource – Greater Austin Area Workforce Board, and Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board.

“Skills Development Fund grants are a proven tool for employers to obtain customized training for their workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Ron Lehman. “With this grant, the community benefits as well with the creation of 120 new jobs. Congratulations to all involved for making this grant a reality.”

ACC’s Automotive Technology Department will provide instructional space, use of appropriate tools and faculty for TAC students. The department is one of few in the United States to obtain certification from the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF).

“By the time students complete the training through ACC’s new Texas Automotive Careers project, they will have received a certificate for the completion of the Automotive Undercar Specialist curriculum, which is a portion of the Automotive Service Excellence certification,” said ACC Executive Vice President Dr. Steve Kinslow. “Thanks to this grant, ACC can help students get that much closer to self-sufficiency.”

WorkSource will help in the recruitment of eligible students for the program. The Beasley Group is providing the training curriculum and will assist in the identification of other automotive companies who are interested in hiring participants. “There is an immediate need for competency-based training for the automotive industry,” said TAC Program Director David Johnson. “Our goal first and foremost is to serve our industry by providing pre-screened, well trained, loyal career minded individuals.”