Austin Community College District (ACC) is investing in the future of students with new training tools designed to help build in-demand skills. Thanks to support from the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program, ACC added specialized HVAC equipment at the Riverside Campus that students are already using in class.
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza presented ACC with a $64,774 check at the ACC Riverside Campus on Wednesday, September 3.
“Partnerships like these are about better serving our students and their needs. When our partners recognize the opportunity to step in and support, it changes lives. Together, we are opening doors to training, jobs, and brighter futures for the communities we serve,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “Our students are talented and determined, and with the right support, they can thrive.”
The grant originally set out to support training for 120 students. One year later, ACC has surpassed that goal — nearly 170 students are getting hands-on training with the new equipment. This means more opportunities for you and your classmates to practice on the same systems you’ll find in today’s workplaces.
The JET program provides funding to cover start-up costs for career and technical education programs.
ACC’s Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program offers a Certificate, an Associate of Applied Science degree, and Occupational Skills Awards. Students train on a wide range of equipment—from older systems to the latest technologies—taught by experienced industry professionals. Graduates are prepared to work in residential, commercial, or industrial air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration.
For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/hart.
