The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that they have received a $600,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Grant by forming a consortium with Houston Community College Southwest (HCC-SW), Texas State Technical College (TSTC), and Wharton County Junior College (WCJC), with the University of Houston at Sugar Land, an instructional site of the University of Houston as a strategic partner. This marks the first time a Chamber of Commerce has received a TRUE grant of this caliber since the program’s inception in 2020.
This funding will support the creation and expansion of short-term workforce training programs specifically designed to meet the growing needs of Fort Bend County, focusing on equipping local residents with industry-recognized certifications in high-demand technology fields. The programs aim to provide accessible and flexible pathways for individuals to quickly gain the skills necessary to meet the demands of the local economy.
Houston Community College Southwest, through its Digital & Information Technology Center of Excellence (DIT), will expand its industry-driven programs, including A+ Certification, Network+ Certification, and Security+ Certification. Tuition and fees will be covered for 300 HCC students to enroll in these programs, making training more accessible to Fort Bend County residents.
Texas State Technical College will enhance its Computer Networking and Cybersecurity programs by adding 15 computers, providing financial aid for 46 students, and hiring two professors to teach four cohorts. The college plans to create a non-credit accelerated format for the two first-semester credit classes, including preparation for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam, to broaden access and address the rising demand for skilled professionals in these fields.
Wharton County Junior College will use the grant to purchase advanced equipment, provide scholarships to students, and offer professional training for faculty to support programs for Network and Computer Systems Administrator certifications. These include the Network Cloud Specialist certification (CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and Cloud Practitioner) and Security Specialist certification (TestOut Pro).
The initiative goes beyond technical certifications by incorporating essential soft skills training through workshops in partnership with the University of Houston as a strategic partner. These workshops will focus on communication skills, teamwork and collaboration, leadership and conflict resolution. By enhancing interpersonal and leadership abilities, the program aims to prepare participants not only for technical success but also for effective integration into workplace teams.
All programs are designed to be completed within six months or less, allowing participants to quickly gain industry-recognized certifications and transition into high-demand careers. Training will be delivered through digital, face-to-face, and hybrid formats to ensure flexibility and accessibility for learners with diverse needs.
Fort Bend County’s technology sector continues to grow, driving demand for a skilled workforce. This initiative directly addresses these needs, preparing residents for jobs in networking, cybersecurity, and other technology fields.
For more information about the Fort Bend Chamber’s Fort Bend Future Initiative and Education Division, please contact Jamie Loasby at [email protected].
About the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce
The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce is a 5-star accredited and largest single-county chamber in the greater Houston region representing over 1,000 business organizations, over 5,000 individuals, and over 200,000 jobs. As the advocate for excellence in Fort Bend County and beyond, we do essential work to protect the business interests in our region. The organization has, over the last 50 years, been a strong and successful voice for business due to the solid and impressive investment of our members. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce advocates, elevates and leads in the region to make Fort Bend County the premium destination to live, work and play.