The Walmart Foundation has awarded Austin Community College nearly $100,000 to support career training for veterans.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University received the initial $1 million grant; ACC is one of 11 community and technical colleges nationwide to receive a portion of that funding.

“With funding from the Walmart Foundation, ACC can provide an accelerated pathway for veterans to reach their goals and go to work right here in Central Texas,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “We are very proud of our veteran students, and they deserve our full commitment and support as they complete their education.”

The grant will enable ACC to hire a recruiting and advising specialist who will work with veterans as they enroll in new competency-based programs (developed through separate Department of Labor grants) in healthcare/biosciences and information technology. Veterans can leverage their prior military experience to more quickly earn industry credentials in those fields. The funds also will be used to provide “earn while you learn” internship opportunities.

“As one of the nation’s largest private employers of veterans and those on active duty, we share in the vision of a country where every veteran has a chance to succeed economically and support his or her family,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Walmart is committed to making that vision a reality by supporting organizations and programs that provide job and skills training to our veterans. These young men and women stood up for us, and now it’s our turn to stand up for them.”

ACC offers numerous programs and services for military and veteran students. For more information, visit austincc.edu/veterans or call (512) 223.7574.