The Austin Community College District (ACC) is providing free training and job-placement assistance for up to 460 qualified veterans through a $1.1 million grant awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The grant will establish ACC’s Veteran’s Training Program. Offered through the college’s Continuing Education Division, the VTP provides local veterans free training in 14 high-demand information technology fields.

“We owe our service men and women a debt of gratitude, and ACC is committed to providing a pathway to achieve their professional goals,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President and CEO. “Helping veterans is a top priority at ACC and this is just the beginning.”

Recipients of the grant may choose among four distinct IT pathways including:Â Â computer-user support, network administration, information security, and mobile application development. Students can earn a certification and receive job placement assistance.

“It almost seems too good to be true,” says Joshua Wolfinger, ACC student veteran enrolled in the program. “Even books are covered. It just seems like a huge blessing to me, and totally unexpected.”

According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Austin area had more than 7,400 IT-related job openings in a one-month period this summer. Almost half of the top ten posted positions are in the IT field, paying an annual salary up to $95,240.

“TWC is proud to partner with ACC to train veterans for these high-demand occupations,” says TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “This initiative recognizes the exceptional skills of veterans and will provide an expedited path to employment in the expanding Texas economy.”

As a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC), ACC is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to servicemembers. The college currently enrolls about 2,200 veterans.

Expanded Veterans Resource Center opens Oct. 30

ACC is further expanding its assistance to student veterans with a new 4,000-square-foot Veterans Resource Center at ACC Highland.

ACC will celebrate the Center’s grand opening Thursday, October 30, 11 a.m – 1 p.m., at the Highland Campus (6100 Airport Blvd.). Guests are invited to stop by to learn about the Center’s services, meet college and military leaders, and explore training opportunities. Refreshments will be served.

Learn more about ACC’s Veterans Training Program online at austincc.edu/vtp.