Austin Community College Launches Technology Apprenticeship Program Amid DIR Partnership

State-of-the-Art Partnership in Austin

Austin Community College (ACC) in Texas is embracing a bold, new approach to address the mounting tech talent shortage. In collaboration with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), ACC has unveiled a brand-new, state-sponsored pilot program aimed at offering technology and cybersecurity apprenticeships to students, a venture that aligns with the present House Bill 584.

All Eyes on the ACC-DIR Agreement Ceremony

A solemn occasion marked the launch of the new program, as ACC’s Highland Campus played host to the official agreement signing ceremony on June 28. A positive aura filled the air, marked by optimism and the comforting promise of growth for the tech industry in Austin.

The Nitty-Gritties of the Program

The win-win program offers students a chance to continue their education while refining career-specific skills in a real-world setting. This program proved enticing to ACC students, given that over the past year, more than 100 of them completed apprenticeships in various departments, including health sciences and manufacturing, among others.

The collaboration comes hot on the heels of the enactment of House Bill 584 on September 1, 2023. The law permits state information departments to form alliances with public junior colleges or public technical institutes, taking practical steps to bridge the gap in the state’s information resources sector.

Texas representative Donna Howard believes the unique partnership will be mutually beneficial to ACC students and the participating state departments alike. In her words, “We could look at an apprenticeship and a credential to create a position for IT cybersecurity that could lead to an associate degree, and create a situation where the Department of Information Resources at the state could actually hire folks without a four-year degree but who actually have the experience and the knowledge to protect the resources that we have in our systems”.

Building Bridges to the Growth of Tech Talent

The DIR will serve as the employer for the pilot program, with ACC adopting this model for future program partners from the business and industry sectors. Revelations by ACC suggest that their next partnership program will be with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a relationship expected to benefit both parties involved.

With this innovative tech apprenticeship program, the ACC is planting an innovative seed for tech talent growth in Austin. The cooperative effort between ACC and DIR looks to set a standard in the tech education sector, providing the workforce with capable individuals skilled in cutting-edge tech and cybersecurity.

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