Forging a new path in the realm of career readiness and workforce development, Austin Community College District (ACC) in partnership with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) officially announced the kickoff of a novel apprenticeship program designed for the tech and cybersecurity domain. This announcement came during a signing event hosted on June 28 at ACC's Highland Campus, as reported by the college's newsroom. Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, ACC's Chancellor, emphasized that the program is a transformative leap for students and the local community, stating, "This is the start of a new system that will change how we work to prepare students for a better future for them and their families."
Aligning with the legislative landscape, notably House Bill 584, the apprenticeship endeavors to cultivate in-house IT training within state agencies offering an alternative to traditional four-year degree paths. Texas Rep. Donna Howard highlighted, according to a statement retrieved from the ACC newsroom, that the innovative apprenticeship addresses the acute shortage in the cybersecurity workforce, notably the need for expeditious skill acquisition over conventional degree requirements. Spencer Schumacher, from the Texas Legislature’s Innovation & Technology Caucus, added that although the state has injected substantial funds into IT projects, it's crucial to have a skilled workforce equipped to deploy technology effectively, and this apprenticeship intends to serve that end.
As the employer for this apprentice initiative, DIR views the initiative as a crucial step to strengthen state IT workforce capabilities. DIR's Executive Director Amanda Crawford told ACC's newsroom, "This is a fantastic way to strengthen the state IT workforce and, frankly, the partnership with ACC was just a natural fit." ACC plans to utilize this apprenticeship as a model for future collaboration, which includes the newest partnerships, such as the one with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
In an approach tailored to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, apprenticeship programs at ACC offer students hands-on experience alongside their studies, already attracting over 100 students across multiple departments such as health sciences, manufacturing, and IT in 2023. ACC has expanded its computer science pathway from offering competency-based education and other accelerated options to providing an array of degrees including a newly launched bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity in fall 2023 for those aiming at advanced roles—this information is delineated on ACC's newsroom.
Fostering engagement with industry professionals and deepening understanding of state infrastructure, the new apprenticeship model underscores the reciprocal benefits of academic and practical proficiency. Lisa Jammer, DIR's Chief People and Culture Officer, acknowledged the significance of this partnership with ACC by saying in an ACC newsroom interview, "Having ACC as a partner is really important because there are great minds coming through here" he added, "Each area of the apprenticeship allows you to understand the state's infrastructure better." It's a sentiment that nurtures a visionary outlook for vocational education and bespoke training initiatives, promising long-term impacts for Texas’s workforce development.
