San Jacinto College
Port of Houston Authority
News Release
Friday, February 23, 2007

HOUSTON -- The Texas Workforce Commission awarded a $987,620 grant to a consortium to help build and expand upon worker skill levels at Houston's port locations today. The grant will facilitate standardized training across the industry with increased emphasis on technology, safety and homeland security. The grant will accommodate the training of 570 people for new jobs and 1,060 maritime professionals for upgraded jobs.
 
Grant recipients include San Jacinto College and the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) with support from the Port of Houston Authority, International Longshoreman's Association (ILA), the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and The WorkSource. Training began in January 2007 and will continue through November, 2007.
 
"This grant establishes the beginning of a long and dynamic partnership to build and expand the highly skilled and high wage jobs at all port locations. This funding forms the foundation to seamlessly replicate and sustain a professional training program that will affect the Gulf Coast region for the next 10 years," noted Dr. William Lindemann, Chancellor of San Jacinto College.
 
Employees of WGMA and the ILA will receive customized training at port sites and at San Jacinto College for all marine terminal operations including longshoreman, industrial truck operator, clerk/checker, gang and walking foreman, container handlers and yard tractor operators.
 
"The award is the first time a skills development grant has been awarded for training in the maritime industry and it recognizes howsignificant our industry is to the health of the local, regional and national economies. Our industry is expected to grow by 10 percent or more per year for the next 10 years. With this amazing growth, this grant provides middle class workers high paying jobs with benefits. With equipment and technologies becoming more sophisticated and expensive, a highly skilled and trained workforce will be essential for the ports of Texas to compete in the global economy," said Walter A. Niemand, President/ CEO of the West Gulf Maritime Association.
 
The Continuing & Professional Development Division of San Jacinto College offers programs and courses for individuals to retain or advance in their jobs, or make career transitions. The division provides training to companies and their employees to meet employers' demands for a highly skilled workforce, while helping incumbent workers reach their potential. For information on training, call 281.542.2059. 
 
"This grant is industry driven," commented Lindemann. "100% of the training is designed to meet industry needs and will be conducted by industry experts."




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