AUSTIN, Texas—Skillpoint Alliance—a Central Texas 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to lower-income, underserved and under-accessed populations—announced today that it has received a grant from Bank of America to enhance the organization’s current programs.
To help advance economic mobility, Bank of America directs philanthropic capital to local nonprofit organizations that build pathways to employment by supporting a range of workforce development opportunities, including education, upskilling and reskilling programs. Bank of America has awarded Skillpoint Alliance witha $15,000 grant to enhance all current programs and provide additional wraparound support to all students throughout their enrollment.
“As Austin continues to boom, our labor force needs more skilled workers in construction, maintenance and manufacturing,” said David Bader, Bank of America Austin President. “Skillpoint Alliance is proving to be an important partner at the inflection point of our labor participation gap by providing highly accessible training to Central Texans seeking a pathway out of poverty into living-wage careers while also meeting industry demands for talent.
”Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after having spent time away, have experienced a previous hardship, or are looking to learn foundational skills that will set them on a new pathway to employment in a short amount of time.
“The funding from Bank of America will help us expand our programs and provide additional wraparound services, like assistance with childcare and transportationexpenses, to program participants who are often living in poverty,” Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “Through grants like this, we are able to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them find meaningful careers.”
Skillpoint programs not only focus on the technical aspect of the skilled-trade industry, they also provide classes and support programs to bolster soft skills such as income management, resume writing, and interviewing skills with the goal to create a well-rounded student and optimal employee.
“For many program participants, the financial literacy courses offered by Bank of America are often their introduction to learning about banking systems, savings accounts and the importance of money management,” Leslie Puckett, COO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “After completing the course, we know that our students are entering the workforce with the knowledge necessary to set themselves up for financial success.
”Skillpoint Alliance offers four workforce development programs: Pre-Apprentice Electrical, Pre-Apprentice Plumbing, HVAC Technician and Advanced Manufacturing where students become certified production technicians (CPT). Students will earn their OSHA10 safety certification and will receive help to obtain industry specific certifications that include the HVAC Registered ACR Technician License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR), Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification, Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) Electrical Apprentice License, Plumber’s Apprentice License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration/Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Interested parties can visit www.skillpointalliance.orgfor more information about the program offered.
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About Skillpoint Alliance
Skillpoint Alliance is a 501(c)3 workforce development organization that provides in-demand workforce training to vulnerable members of the Central Texas and Permian Basin communities. The organization partners with local industry leaders to offer unique professional training and educational opportunities at no cost to participants. Skillpoint Alliance was founded in 1994 and has since become the premier provider of rapid workforce training in the nine-county area in and around Austin. Skillpoint Alliance has been named one of the top ten job training programs in the country by Jobs for the Futureand the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Skillpoint Alliance works continuously to build strong partnerships with local businesses, foundations, community-based organizations, and government agencies in order to grow and support its mission of connecting low-income individuals with career pathways in growing local industries. In 2018, Skillpoint Alliance launched a redesigned and customized Pre-Apprentice Electrical class, followed by a Pre-Apprentice Plumbing program in 2019—and concurrently offers HVAC Technician training, Certified Production Technician, and various other short-term and customizable training options. www.skillpointalliance.org
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000ATMand award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock(NYSE: BAC)is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.