Targeted training From the cover
The big picture
Skills development training grants State grant funding will upgrade the skills of 714 currently employed workers and support the training of 130 new hires at 13 companies, 12 of which are located in Collin County.
Companies: Encore Wire Corporation, StatLab Medical Products and AXL Advanced Training provided: About 9,600 hours for 227 employees Career field: Manufacturing 1 $478,770
2 $362,157
Companies: Amphenol Fiber Systems International, Cain Watters & Associates, Cates Control Systems and Natural Polymer International Corporation Training provided: Over 7,100
New programming at Collin College specifically targets workforce development, including specialized training and courses aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals already in the workforce. Through state grant funding, the college has been able to offer professional development for several area industries, including manufacturing, finance, accounting, project management and health care, among others. The college has also made upgrades for its health sciences programs to boost health care careers. Collin College officials look to help any organization that needs it, said Neil Matkin, district president of the college system. The college has teamed up with industries that have a smaller demand to offer training, rather than creating a credit-based program that can take longer to implement, he said. The training courses can quickly adapt to new technology—giving the college the opportunity to be flexible, Matkin said. “Collin College can deliver short-term, laser focused training for employer groups that support their immediate needs,” he said. In April, Texas Workforce Commission officials awarded four grants totaling $1.35 million to Collin College to cover the cost of customized training for employees at 13 businesses located
hours for 370 employees Career field: Finance and manufacturing
4
Companies: CSG Forte Payments Inc., FlexLink Systems Inc., Netrio and Portable Solar Training provided: Over 6,500 hours for 169 employees Career field: Accounting, computer systems design services, health care, solar energy 3 $353,072
Companies: Helm Dental Laboratory and Unicom Engineering Training provided: Nearly 3,000 hours for 78 employees Career field: Manufacturing, project management, risk management 4 $158,958
1
3
$1.3M grant totals
2
SOURCE: COLLIN COLLEGE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
faculty are devoted to supporting workforce programs, Matkin said. The college system also has staff positions dedicated to engaging with industry partners, he said. “It is a very exciting time for higher education as we embrace industry in a collaborative manner,” Matkin said. “I truly believe we are all partners who want to support our greatest asset, [which is] our students.”
in the area, including several based in McKinney, Frisco and Plano. The grant comes from the commission’s Skills Development Fund, which helps businesses train existing or new employees for high-demand jobs in fields such as health care, accounting and manufacturing, according to the commission’s website. Approximately one-third of Collin College’s
Measuring the impact
Workforce development helps companies retain employees. Matkin said educational opportunities can show employees an organization values them and can help advance their careers. The college has worked with local partners to develop workforce programs, including McKin- ney-based Raytheon, which is an aerospace and defense company. Raytheon officials have acted as advisory committee members who helped develop new college programs and offerings, Matkin said. Raytheon recruits employees through tra- ditional means within the college’s student population and also sends current employees through training as part of the college’s advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program, Matkin said. The college’s apprenticeship programs allow employers to develop skilled talent pipelines, which support business growth. The college’s third cohort with Raytheon started this year, Matkin said.
Top employment destinations for McKinney residents In 2022, U.S. Census Bureau data shows more than half of employed McKinney residents traveled outside of the city for jobs. The top destination was Dallas.
380
3
4
7
35W
35E
SRT TOLL
121
2
75
City
Job count (%)
DNT TOLL
9
1 Dallas 2 Plano
16,996 (16%) 15,281 (14.4%) 14,266 (13.5%)
5
1
114
8
3 McKinney
6
635
4 Frisco 6,659 (6.3%) 5 Richardson 5,270 (5%)
1
183
30 All other locations: 34,814 (32.9%)
6 Irving 7 Allen
820 4,259 (4%) 3,726 (3.5%) 2,561 (2.4%)
30
35W
30
1
360
8 Addison
45
35E
9 Carrollton 2,151 (2%)
20
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU/COMMUNITY IMPACT
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
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