Health-care Consortium Partners with Panola College

for $369,435 Job Training Grant from TWC

Dr. Gregory Powell, Jackie Sanders, Sevetri Hicks, Dr. Barbara Buchanan, Dr. Lillian Cook

AUSTIN — The East Texas area workforce will benefit from a $369,435 job training grant from the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Self-Sufficiency Fund, which helps welfare recipients move into the workforce and off public assistance.

            The 10-member health-care consortium, which includes Henderson Memorial Hospital, Pine Grove Nursing Center, Highland Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Ltd., Henderson Health & Rehabilitation Center, Briarcliff Health Center, Colonial Park Nursing Home, The Clairmont, Green Acres Convalescent Center, Suburban Acres Nursing Center and Marshall Manor, has partnered with Panola College to provide training. Workers will fill 125 new and upgraded jobs as certified nurses aides, medication aides and phlebotomists. Upon completion of training, workers will receive an average hourly wage of $8.96.

            “This grant will provide skills training for workers employed by 10 businesses in several counties here in East Texas,” said state Rep. Chuck Hopson. “Not only do the businesses and workers benefit, but the community as a whole benefits from the creation of 100 jobs and the valuable training that adds to the infrastructure of our health care industry. Congratulations to Panola College and the 10 local employers for successfully bringing this grant to East Texas.”

 “Assisting all Texans to be self-sufficient is one of our top priorities,” said TWC Chair Diane Rath. “Thanks to the governor and the Legislature, TWC makes these grants available each year, assisting thousands of Texans to enjoy the rewards of this great state.”

In FY 2002, TWC awarded 11 Self-Sufficiency grants, which created more than 953 jobs. The jobs paid an average hourly wage of $9.80. The grants, which totaled $2,872,799, benefited 61 Texas employers. The Legislature appropriated $2.9 million to the Self-Sufficiency fund for the FY 2002-03 biennium. Employers seeking more information about the Self-Sufficiency Fund or Skills Development Fund may visit the TWC Web site at www.texasworkforce.org.

            Panola College contact: Barbara Buchanan, (903) 693-4650