After a long and anticipated wait, the groundbreaking ceremony for the state-of-the-art training facility at the Houston Community College (HCC) North Forest Campus was finally held in the presence of many community residents and dignitaries.
The unique program, offered by HCC North Forest, prepares graduates to be job ready on day one. The milestone at Houston Community College Northeast has the potential to impact North Forest and surrounding communities for many years to come. The HCC North Forest Campus will serve as a hub for workforce and academic training as well as a place for the community.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee participated in this auspicious occasion and took time to thank the parents, teachers and administrators of the old North Forest Independent School District who cared about their children’s education and worked to make each day an opportunity for their children to learn and to grow. Congresswoman has long been a vocal advocate for that district, and joined the parents, teachers, and administrators of the North Forest Independent School District to fight for that district.
“The commitment of the parents of North Forest High School students sustained them as they worked to help their children through the difficult transition of the closure of the North Forest School District,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. “Some battles were won, but a Supreme Court Decision eliminating the power of the Voting Rights Act to protect the rights of voters of this once minority majority school district ended the ability to stop the dissolution of the district. North Forest residents are now able to take advantage of increased training opportunities at this newly renovated HCC North Forest Campus.”
This Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee introduced the Cyber Security Education and Federal Workforce Enhancement Act, which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security an Office to make recommendations on how the agency can do a better job of recruitment of information assurance, cybersecurity, and computer security professionals. The bill would provide education grants, training programs, and other support for secondary and post-secondary computer security education programs.
“Education is the road map to a better life and great success,” said Congresswoman Jackson Lee. “A good education should not be out of the reach for anyone who wishes to pursue a degree or certification program to make a better life for themselves and their family.”
Congresswoman Jackson Lee strongly supports the Federal Pell Grant program and was pleased to report that 22,100 Houston Community College students received on average $1,914, in the award year 2014-2015.
Students at the North Forest High School Campus have taken advantage of the energy feeder classes and are on track to continue in their programs at the HCC Northeast Energy Institute as a part of the Division of Science and Engineering Technologies programs at HCC. These programs lead to employment opportunities, as technicians in the oil and gas industry beginning salaries range from $50,000 to $60,000. This opportunity is especially meaningful for those who live in North Forest and surrounding communities because of its potential to provide a pathway for economic empowerment.
This renovated space accommodates a full service student service center, student lounge, classroom and lab space, a computer lab and a small business incubator.