ACC grabs $98,860 training grant

Jun 24, 2010

Austin Business Journal

The Austin Community College District was awarded a $98,860 training grant from the state comptroller.

The gift is one of 22 the state handed out to community colleges this week, and is part of a $3.84 million program that aims to prepare students for the fast-growing automotive alternative fuel technology industry.

ACC will use the grant to purchase hybrid vehicles, training tools and other equipment for a new automotive fuels course. Students will learn technology for non-gas-powered vehicles such as electric hybrids, biodiesel fuel and flex fuel vehicles.

“As alternative fuel vehicles become an increasingly larger percentage of cars on the road, ACC must prepare students to safely and effectively repair those vehicles,” said Robert Pelham, an associate professor at ACC’s automotive technology department.

The money was pulled form the state's "job building fund," which helps Texans get technical training for careers in high-demand occupations.

ACC currently enrolls more than 40,000 students and is working to annex new areas into its taxing district, while it plans to build at least four new campuses.