Overview
High school Career Academies on ACC campuses help high school students earn college-credit Level I workforce certificates, creating a sense of belonging and enabling them to enter the workforce with entry-level skills. Students can begin a stackable workforce college program even if they are not deemed college-ready based on the Texas Success Initiative Assessment, removing a potential barrier into a workforce dual credit program. Many secondary partners cover the cost of textbooks, supplies and transportation—expenses not covered by the ACC dual credit waiver—removing cost barriers for students.
Accomplishments
- The Health Sciences Academy started with 58 students in 2018 and has grown to more than 75 applications for fall 2023.
- The Advanced Manufacturing Academy also has grown since 2020, from six students to 61 current students at both ACC Highland and Riverside campuses.
- The IT Applications Development Academy has remained steady but will expand from Highland Campus to also include ACC Elgin Campus to meet the growing demand for entry-level workers in this area.
- ACC facilities are state-of-the art and provide high school students with hands-on training.
- In Advanced Manufacturing, students receive instruction in robotics and technical drafting.
- In Phlebotomy, students are trained to draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research.
- In our IT Application Development Academy, students are creating an app to understand the process and design difficulties evident in app development.
- Specialized high school career program coordinators work with ACC Career Services and Workforce Solutions to provide video workshops, emails, and webinars to help students become job-ready before graduation. Presentations cover various professional skills, such as communication, team building, resume writing, and interviewing skills.
Impact
Working with our secondary partners, along with industry and community partners, we are helping to develop more successful, appropriately skilled, entry-level employees. Our partnerships ensure that employers will hire our students and support the local community.
Next Steps
- Continue to work toward greater articulation-to-dual credit pathways/endorsements will allow students to complete courses earlier (in 9th and 10th grade) and continue at an ACC campus to complete their workforce dual credit courses as a junior and senior in high school.
- Create a planning and advisory committee for parent and community sessions would allow for more consistent information on ACC’s stackable credentials (occupational skills award to certificate, to associate degree, to bachelor’s degree).