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 the organization was selected to receive funding from Truist Foundation.
Skillpoint Alliance will receive a total of $50,000 in grant funding to support the operating costs for the organization’s four training programs– pre-apprentice electrical, pre-apprentice plumbing, HVAC technician and certified production technician– and enhancing wraparound services, like childcare and transportation expenses, for program participants.
“As more companies relocate to Texas, the need for skilled workers in the construction and manufacturing sector continues to grow. The free programs offered by Skillpoint Alliance help Texans to find meaningful careers and earn higher wages, while also boosting the local economy,” Bill Toomey, Houston and Central Texas regional president for Truist, said. “Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we believe this funding will do just that by creating career pathways to economic mobility for Skillpoint Alliance students.”
Skillpoint Alliance program participants 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 the trajectory to lucrative employment opportunities in a short amount of time.
“The funding from Truist Foundation will not only help cover basic operational costs, but also will allow us to offer our classes free of charge to an additional 25 students who are members of the Black and Latino community,” Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “Our program offers a pathway that leads to recession-proof jobs that offer great pay, benefits and upward mobility.”
For more information about Skillpoint Alliance, please visit https://skillpointalliance.org/
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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 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 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 Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.