More opportunities will soon be available to ACC students to participate in apprenticeship programs. These programs offer the unique experience of providing hands-on training while pursuing academic qualifications. 

“This is the start of a new system that will change how we work to prepare students for a better future for them and their families. It will support students finishing what they started while getting the experience they need to transition to a successful career,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. 

The college held a formal signing agreement on a new partnership with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to announce a first-of-its-kind technology and cybersecurity apprenticeship on Friday, June 28 at the ACC Highland Campus. 

“Apprenticeships are the best way for students to get real-time on-the-job training while getting the skills that can make them hirable,” says Dr. Lowery-Hart. “This program will help ACC become the gold standard for apprenticeships that reflect the needs of industry. It will reflect the prowess and pedagogy of incredible faculty. It will meet the needs of our community and give students a pathway to a family-sustaining wage.”

This apprenticeship offers a unique model for training state agency employees and provides an all-encompassing view of the department, blending academic learning with practical, on-the-job experience. ACC will use this model to replicate with all partners, including business and industry.

“This is a fantastic way to strengthen the state IT workforce and, frankly, the partnership with ACC was just a natural fit. it is the perfect pilot partner for us with this initiative. We want to be able to scale it across the state. We’ve partnered with [ACC] in the past on a variety of other initiatives, [its] proximity to state government offices, and then [its] exceptional cybersecurity and computer science programs really made it a natural fit,” says Amanda Crawford, DIR’s Executive Director and State of Texas Chief Information Officer. 

The partnership is closely aligned with House Bill 584. It lays the groundwork for in-house information technology training programs within state agencies. DIR will serve as the employer for this pilot program. The program is designed to be a template for future partnerships between state agencies and educational institutions, with the potential to expand into the private sector. ACC’s next partnership will be with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. 

“Having ACC as a partner is really important because there are great minds coming through here. I was out a recent event that you all had, and I got to connect with some students. They understood exactly what we do. They knew what they wanted,” says Lisa Jammer, DIR Chief People and Culture Officer. “Each area of the apprenticeship allows you to understand the state’s infrastructure better. If you’re really looking to deep dive and understand exactly what we do here, this is the opportunity. You’re sitting down with experts who have 20 or more years of experience, but also to enjoy some of the new things that are happening.”

Apprenticeship Programs at ACC

You can get started in a program now! In 2023, more than 100 students registered to complete apprenticeships. At least seven ACC departments, including health sciences, manufacturing, IT, accounting, and veterinary technology, are involved in apprenticeship programs with over 25 industry partners. ACC’s programs are registered with the Texas Workforce Commission.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/apprenticeships. 

Cybersecurity Programs at ACC

The college offers a full computer science pathway from fast-track competency-based education (CBE) programs and other accelerated options to an associate degree in Computer Information Technology and Computer Science. In fall 2023, ACC launched its fourth bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) is designed to help working professionals in cybersecurity prepare for more advanced career roles. The college also offers a BAS in Software Development. 

Explore all ACC programs in Computer Science and IT at austincc.edu/computerscience.