Trinity Valley Community College Introduces Corporate Training to Upskill the Palestine Workforce

Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) has developed a course catalog of corporate training programs to help local businesses increase the skill sets of employees and job applicants. These courses include soft skills like time management and supervising others, along with industry-specific coursework like QuickBooks, childcare provider training, and OSHA standards.  

“We want to make sure what we create is valuable to multiple companies,” says Eric Bocks, Assistant Director of Workforce/Corporate Training at TVCC. “Instead of businesses developing their own coursework and using the HR department’s time and money, companies can send their employees to us.”

Enrollment for corporate training is always open, so your organization can take advantage of these courses immediately. Here’s why they are such an asset to Palestine, Texas. 

TVCC Created The Programs Based on Company Feedback

Before the TVCC team started developing corporate training programs, it met with local Palestine companies to understand the skills employees need. Many employers mentioned the value of leadership development so that successful employees could be promoted internally. Other companies needed specific skills that would streamline the hiring process by giving them a larger talent pool to pull from.

“Whenever we go to various chambers of commerce meetings or networking events, business owners ask for specific training courses,” says Bocks. “We worked with different communities to see what they need and what we can provide.”

While TVCC has developed an initial course catalog, the college is still open to suggestions. They can create new courses that benefit multiple companies in the region and help Palestine diversify its industries. 

Small Businesses May Qualify for Free Training

TVCC also has a partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission to provide up to $1,000 of free training for employees of small businesses (companies with fewer than 100 workers). The grant increases to $2,000 in education training grants for employees who have worked for the company for fewer than 90 days.

"TVCC is already one of the most affordable higher education options in Texas,” says Bocks. “This grant makes it even easier for companies to train and develop their employees."

The companies that work with TVCC can also control when employees learn. For example, if a particular certification requires 40 hours of classroom instruction, a company wouldn’t have to lose an employee for an entire week. Instead, they could spread the coursework over five weeks, with that employee spending two half days a week (or one workday a week) in a learning environment.

The goal is for TVCC to work with employers and find ideal solutions for them. Additionally, some students benefit from spreading their education over a longer period. They will have more time to absorb the material and apply it to the workplace.  

Education Supports Retention and Industry Development

The corporate education programs of TVCC support economic development in Palestine. First, trained employees can advance in their roles and are more likely to stay with companies that invest in them. This reduced turnover increases productivity and profitability. Next, workforce training makes Palestine residents more hirable, attracting companies from different industries seeking specific skill sets.

“Investing in the residents of Palestine is our top priority,” says Christophe Trahan, Executive Director of the Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC). “We have land and available sites for development. The next step is to show companies that we’re prepared with a skilled workforce.”

Bocks has worked closely with PEDC to identify the right courses to develop. “Christophe is so passionate about bringing companies and people together,” he says. “They are helping us market the course offerings so more companies and individuals take advantage of them. 

Contact TVCC or PEDC to Discuss Your Workforce Needs 

Business owners in Palestine, Texas, have several options for developing their employees and finding qualified talent. Contact Eric Bocks at eric.bocks@tvcc.edu or 903-675-6378 to ask about corporate training courses and workforce development grants. Business leaders can also reach out to PEDC and join the Workforce Development Council to take a big-picture approach to upskilling Anderson County's workforce.

Several stakeholders are working to improve the workforce of Palestine, Texas. Your ideal solutions might be closer and more affordable than you think.