(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College, in partnership with Portage Plastics Corp. and Rich Products Corp. of Brownsville, was recently awarded a $276,789 Development Skills Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

In the past fiscal year, TSTC has been awarded more than $4 million in grants for workforce training to benefit almost 4,000 employees at companies across the state.

“TSTC is proud and honored to partner with the Texas Workforce Commission in this endeavor,” said Rick Herrera, TSTC interim provost, vice chancellor of information technology and chief integration officer.

The most recent award will be used to train 123 Portage Plastics and Rich Products employees in the areas of production, maintenance, and mechanical and support operations.

TSTC instructors will provide 6,329 hours of on-site training. Trainees will receive 59 percent business and technical training, 31 percent general technical training and 10 percent non-technical training.

TSTC Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Mike Reeser said the Texas Workforce Commission and Julian Alvarez, TWC commissioner and a former TSTC employee, are tireless advocates for education and training.

“Skills development efforts are so important for us,” said Reeser. “We have a dedicated focus to improving skills and helping people grow.”

Portage Plastics Corp. Plant Manager Tony Capella thanked TSTC for a job well done.

“TSTC has been by our side from the start,” said Capella. “We had a lot of problems with other entities we worked with, but this is a great partnership.”

Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. and State Representative Eddie Lucio III also applauded TSTC and Alvarez for keeping up with technical changes and industry needs.

“TSTC has helped hundreds of thousands of people. And it means so much to so many,” said Lucio Jr. “These grants have positively impacted Texas employers and employees, and we hope and pray we have the opportunity to continue these partnerships.”

TSTC has applied for and expects to receive another half-million dollars for more workforce training for companies in Waco, Hutto and Harlingen.