Workforce Solutions Awarded RGV Externship for Teachers Grant

Bridging the gap between education and business: Educators will have the opportunity to work alongside business professionals for a week-long externship.

 

McAllen, TX – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded Workforce Solutions (WFS) the RGV Externship for Teachers Grant in the amount of $129,603 in March 2022. The initiative will provide externship opportunities with local businesses to 90 middle and high school educators and provide a firsthand experience in the workforce. “The RGV Externship for Teachers initiative is just one of many ways that we work to align education to the workforce needs in our area,” said Francisco Almaraz, WFS Chief Executive Officer. “When teachers can get hands-on experience that this externship offers, they increase their capacity to prepare students for what they can expect in their future careers.” 

Helping recruit educators in the Rio Grande Valley are our community partners: WFS-Cameron, Region One Education Service Center (Region One ESC) and Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic and Academic Development (RGV LEAD). “Our agencies have a longstanding partnership and commitment to equip educators and prepare tomorrow’s workforce,” said Luis Rodriguez, RGV LEAD Executive Director. This year the program will feature two cohorts of externships. The first will utilize a hybrid model that uses in-person and virtual components for teachers who have previously participated in the program. The second cohort is designed as an in-person one-week introduction to externships for teachers who have not previously participated in an Externship for Teachers initiative. 

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to local educators, as it helps them to speak with confidence to their students about why certain curricula are taught, why they are important and where they come into play in the day-to-day operations of a business,” said Leo Saenz, Region One ESC CTE Specialist. 

WFS, in partnership with community-based organizations, works with local school districts, colleges, and universities within Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties.  These partnerships help ensure that students have the resources needed to develop the skills required to succeed in the workplace.  The RGV Externship for Teachers is 100% ($129,602.98) funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

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