AUSTIN, TX (June 25, 2009) – The Austin Community College District joined four other regional colleges to announce the Green Corridor Collaborative, a new partnership aimed at putting Texans to work in emerging green economy careers and attracting federal stimulus dollars to the region.

ACC is joining forces with the Alamo Colleges, Dallas County Community College District, Temple College, and the Texas State Technical College System. The five community and technical college leaders met at the Texas Association of Community Colleges in Austin on Thursday, June 25 to sign the agreement and launch the initiative.

Through this revolutionary partnership, the five institutions will share their expertise, experience, and resources in order to create a collaborative approach to workforce training for high-demand green economy fields. The Green Corridor Collaborative will apply for federal stimulus money earmarked for renewable energy development.

“This partnership is an unprecedented yet common-sense approach to education,” says Dr. Stephen Kinslow, ACC President/CEO. “By working together, these five colleges will better serve the needs of their communities and industries that require a skilled workforce.”

The participating institutions will share curriculum through the Collaborative, eliminating wasteful duplication of programs. This will enable the participating colleges to efficiently expand their training capabilities and help generate a highly-skilled workforce.

“Texas has emerged as a national leader in the effort to prepare workers in the specialized skills required for renewable energy jobs,” says Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. “Through this collaboration, these five major college systems in our state will address the skills needs of Texas employers to create jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency fields.”

ACC continues to develop courses and programs with a sustainability/green/renewable energy focus, frequently in partnership with Workforce Solutions-Capital Area and the State Energy Conservation Office.  The college is a leader in solar/photovoltaics education and training, with both credit and non-credit offerings that range from entry level installer training to associate degrees in alternative energy.  These programs serve constituents from entry level students to experienced incumbent workers who need additional training or certifications.  ACC is also a statewide provider of training for college faculty wanting to learn about these emerging areas.  In addition to solar programs, the college also offers courses in wind power, solar thermal systems, energy efficient structures, solar cell manufacturing, nanoelectronics, managing for sustainability, green building, weatherization, and alternative fuel vehicles. 

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About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):

ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 35,700 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”