Category Archives: Community

McAllen’s advanced manufacturing sector has received a boost thanks to a $259,440 job-training grant to South Texas College. Funds from the McAllen Development Corporation grant will provide customized training, as well as equipment, salaries and supplies. All aspects will come from STC’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing. “We need to put in place training opportunities and high-quality training so that we have the most competitive and best prepared workforce in the country which will attract companies to…

Designing Iconic Texas Art

December 1, 2018

George Cox

Arts Retail Comments

With a dream of becoming a fashion designer, Ida Rodriguez started out designing and sewing her own clothes. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley town of Alton, she was one of a family of seven with a father who was the sole provider, and a strict patriarch. In her early 20s she had an opportunity to attend fashion design school in Dallas, but her father said no; she needed…

Weslaco Chamber Names New Board

November 19, 2018

VBR

Education Featured News Retail Comments

Three new members are now part of the 2018-2019 Weslaco Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Joining current members are Superintendent of Weslaco ISD Priscilla Canales, Valley Trophies owner Travis McDaniel and South Texas College Mid Valley Campus Administrator Daniel Montez. Canales’s service in the interest of public schools in both large and mid-size school systems spans to 1991. Through the years, her various positions in education includes teacher, mentor, educational specialist, assistant principal and principal,…

RGV College Welcomes New Nursing Program

November 8, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare News Comments

Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr is now offering a new Associate Degree in Nursing LVN to RN Bridge Program. Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and RGV College CEO Annabelle Palomo joined together in the public announcement, confirming the approval from the Texas Board of Nursing. “Congratulations to RGV College, we are excited about this announcement that will offer students more opportunities to seek healthcare careers here in the Rio Grande…

Training grant to benefit local small businesses

November 7, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Manufacturing/Industrial Retail Technology Comments

Custom training for local small businesses is the focus of a Weslaco EDC grant. The $100,000 grant will fund South Texas College in providing training in retail, manufacturing and logistics through Sept. 30, 2019. A ceremonial check presentation took place Nov 1 for the partnership to increase both high skill and high wage jobs in the Mid-Valley region. “Workforce training is one of the biggest negotiators in today’s economic projects,”…

McAllen Businesses Provide Apprenticeships

November 1, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

On Oct. 31, South Texas College, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Independent School District’s Youth Apprenticeship Program held a ceremonial signing of registered apprenticeship agreements and work contracts for high school juniors and seniors. “This program is really where the future is headed in developing talent in our community,” said Steve Alenius, president/CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “I’m really excited about the commitment our business community has…

TWC Grant Funds Medical Training

October 11, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare News Comments

The Workforce Development and Continuing Education department at Texas State Technical College, in partnership with Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, is the recipient of a Skills Development Fund grant for customized job training. The $301,238 Texas Workforce Commission grant currently provides technical skills training for 155 Valley Baptist Medical Center employees. Customized raining will continue for one year for positions such as certified nursing assistants, registered nurses and nurse managers. The training focuses…

Symposium Addresses Healthcare Disparities

October 9, 2018

VBR

Education Events Featured Healthcare News Comments

From advances in studying determinants of health, to public health initiatives to combat obesity and patient case studies, researchers from across the country and world gathered recently at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s second annual Research Symposium to discuss how they are addressing disparities in healthcare. “Health Disparities 2018: Closing the Gap” featured keynote speaker Maria Elena Bottazzi, associate dean of the National School of…

INNO Highlights Impact of Future Workforce

October 4, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Events News Comments

It is urgent students are ready for jobs of the future. According to those speaking at INNO at STC, now more than ever, college graduates with real-world experience are needed for even the most entry level of jobs. Last week, INNO, STC’s sixth annual Binational Innovation Conference, welcomed those in industry, education and economic development. Each brought information focused on innovation as well as the impact of students on the…

Venue Gives Valley Boost

October 1, 2018