District VII Highlights: Plans moving forward with new workforce buildings at HCC Southwest
Feb 11, 2014
Recent demographic reports confirm that workforce certification is the future of Houston employment as its population continues to diversify. Houston Community College Southwest is answering that need with more skills training by finalizing plans for new campus buildings dedicated solely to workforce certification programs. New workforce structures are planned for HCC Southwest’s West Loop, Missouri City and Stafford Campuses.
Southwest College’s allocation from the 2012 bond election will be used to enhance existing workforce programs. In addition, new programs will include more technology, health care and manufacturing programs, as well as a proposed partnership with Veteran’s Affairs.
“For the first time, HCC Southwest will have dedicated facilities for workforce training,” says HCC Southwest President Dr. Fena Garza. “We want to tailor our programs and keep Houstonians working in high-skilled, high-growth job markets.”
One of the first projects will be the construction of a new, multi-level West Loop Campus parking garage with first-floor storefront spaces dedicated to HCC Veteran’s Affairs and other future partnerships. In addition, the approximate 9,000-square-foot space will house six classrooms designed for short-term training opportunities. The roof of the parking garage will also double as an outdoor, special-event venue. Cost for the West Loop workforce structure is projected at $21.5 million.
Plans are also under way for the construction of the Missouri City Center for Entrepreneurship, Technology and Health (CETH). With a budget of $21.5 million, the 60,000 square-foot building will house economic development, small business management, accounting and technology programs. CETH will also provide a Healthcare Career Academy consisting of dedicated classrooms for nursing, medical assisting, respiratory therapy, retail pharmacy, health information technology and mental health programs. The programs will be offered in a partnership with HCC’s Coleman College in the Texas Medical Center.
Early plans for the Stafford Workforce Building, which will receive $27 million of the allocation, propose a 108,000-square-foot structure housing manufacturing, drafting and fabrication, IT, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), welding, pipe-fitting, plumbing and electrical programs. Other programs are also being considered.
“These high-wage, high-demand programs meet the business and industry needs of the community,” says Executive Dean of Instruction and Student Services Betty Fortune, who will oversee academic and workforce instruction in the new buildings. “These new buildings will also address the needs of those who wish to enhance or update their skills.”
In addition to Dean Fortune, Madeline Burillo, Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development, will provide district-wide leadership and administration for all activities of Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit and non-credit instruction.
Dr. Garza adds that construction plans are under way and on schedule as planned by HCC Chief Facilities Officer Winston Dahse.