By Edmond Ortiz
The Alamo Colleges District is introducing a single-access point designed to aid individuals seeking short-term workforce training opportunities, and help support employers needing to close critical staffing gaps.
What is happening
ACD officials held a July 1 press conference to announce the rollout of Alamo Technical Institute, a unified gateway where participants get to engage centralized intake and advising, skills assessments, career navigation, streamlined enrollment and coordinated access to funding, and support programs such as adult education and literacy, SA Ready to Work, Workforce Pell Grants. and other support programs.”
District officials said the idea here is to help learners use a less complex system to get training opportunities towards earning short-term credentials and industry certifications. District leaders added that various employers want to build up a skilled workforce faster to meet ever-growing regional demands.
The institute’s one-stop shop model includes personal success coaches who guide learners to funding resources and next steps toward employment or continued education.
ATI participants can access short-term training, industry certifications, GED and ESL pathways, stackable credentials and pathways into degree programs or careers, the release stated.
What they are saying
“At the Alamo Colleges District, we know our region’s growth must translate into real economic mobility for the people who call San Antonio home,” ACD Chancellor Mike Flores said in a statement.
“ATI is a streamlined path to in-demand careers, built around the realities of today’s learners, many of whom are working adults balancing jobs, families and responsibilities. ATI will give learners a clearer, and accessible way forward while giving employers a stronger pipeline of skilled talent ready to meet the needs of our growing economy.”
District officials said the launch of ATI, which builds on existing programs such as AlamoPROMISE and AlamoADVISE, is happening when the demand for fast, affordable and career-aligned training is at a historic high, and employers in many critical industries are facing frequent talent shortages.
Additionally, July 1 marked the beginning of short-term workforce training programs becoming eligible for Pell Grants, something that will extend federal aid to students in state-approved, short-term programs.
District officials added that the ATI gives employers a more direct way to partner with ACD on custom training solutions, certifications and management training. Many programs are available for free for eligible learners.
As an example of successful partnerships between ACD and local employers, district officials announced on July 1 that the Texas Workforce Commission recently bestowed the district with two Skills Development Fund awards totaling $206,178.
According to the news release, the awards will support the upskilling of existing workers for Toyotetsu Texas, a supplier for the Toyota Texas assembly plant on the South Side, and Selma-based food manufacturer John B. Sanfilippo and Son.
“By investing in specialized training for high-demand fields like robotics and advanced manufacturing, we are ensuring that Texans have the skills needed to excel in rewarding careers while helping our local employers remain competitive,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said in a statement.
