A $20,000 award given to the Gulf Coast Adult Education Consortium at the Texas Workforce Conference highlights the work of Harris County Department of Education in supporting a construction training program for women. The innovative, workforce-context classes supported the S&B Engineers and Constructors “Women in Construction” training program.

The award allows the consortium and HCDE to share an innovative, workforce and education training model which elevates women in the construction industry.

“We are proud of this model and the work we have done with our workforce partner S&B Engineers and Constructors,” said HCDE County School Superintendent James Colbert. “This award allows us to share this model and replicate it with other adult education providers through conferences and meetings.”

As an Adult Education and Literacy contractor for the Houston-Galveston Area Council, HCDE’s Adult Education division collaborated with United Way THRIVE of Houston and other organizations to implement the Women in Construction Project, a customized, hiring-and-training program. The program resulted in 15 women completing S&B Engineers and Constructor’s 12-week, on-the-job training program in pipefitting while the female students also gained contextualized math instruction from HCDE. This program led to jobs with S&B, a starting wage of $18, benefits and the possibility of additional training.

The award from Adult Education and Literacy State Leadership funds was given in December 2016 to recognize exemplary program performance and support innovation through dissemination of information about models and proven practices within the state.

“The funds will be used to develop conference presentations highlighting the Women in Construction Project in AEL and workforce development conferences across the state,” said Eduardo Honold, director of HCDE Adult Education.

For information about workforce development GED or ESL classes offered through Harris County Department of Education Adult Education, visit http://www.hcde-texas.org/adulteducation.

About HCDE Adult Education: With a 30-year track record, HCDE Adult Education provides classes to adult learners with a goal to “learn to earn,” including adult basic literacy and math skills, GED, English as a second language and vocational training. Classes are held in 35 community locations throughout Harris and Liberty counties. Communities include Baytown, Alief, Channelview, Cy-Fair, Deer Park, Galena Park, Goose Creek, Katy, Klein, Pasadena, Sheldon, Spring Branch and Liberty. Corporations also benefit from HCDE services provided to English language learning employees aimed at improving productivity and safety in the workplace. For more information, access http://www.hcde-texas.org/adulteducation.

About Harris County Department of Education (HCDE): Serving students, teachers, schools and communities throughout Harris County, HCDE is a local governmental organization providing value for school districts while supporting educational opportunity. Partnering with Harris County school districts, HCDE maximizes local resources and responds to the needs of locally elected school boards and education leaders. HCDE services include school-based therapy for students, afterschool programs, Head Start, educator training, adult education and programs to promote safe schools. To learn more about how your county department of education can help you: http://www.hcde-texas.org.