Press Release: Texas Community Colleges Drive Workforce Development and Economic Growth
DALLAS, TX — Diego Gonzalez Solorzano, a dedicated student at Dallas College, highlights the vital role of Texas community colleges in fostering opportunities and connecting students to high-demand careers. With aspirations in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), Diego earned a Level 1 Technician Certificate and recently landed an internship at a prominent HVAC company, positioning him for a lucrative full-time job in a critical industry.
This success story mirrors broader trends catalyzed by the Texas Legislature’s 2023 passage of House Bill 8, which introduced a performance-based funding model for community colleges. This new framework rewards institutions for guiding students toward high-value credentials, successful transfers to universities, and dual credit courses, shifting the focus from enrollment numbers to tangible workforce outcomes.
Community colleges now enroll over 700,000 students and award more than 125,000 credentials annually, with Dallas College reporting 127,865 unique students and 16,530 credentials awarded for the 2023-2024 school year. These colleges are instrumental in addressing workforce shortages, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, where the demand for registered nurses is projected to rise significantly.
Among the numerous beneficiaries is Kady Linnea Klasne, an ICU nurse who earned her associate degree and is now enrolling in Dallas College’s innovative four-year nursing program, made possible by HB 8.
While HB 8 has revolutionized funding, the long-term success of community colleges requires sustained legislative support. Key priorities include immediate supplemental funding and continued investment in the upcoming budget cycle to enhance workforce-aligned programs.
The Texas Legislature has a pivotal opportunity to strengthen community colleges, ensuring they remain the backbone of the state’s workforce strategy and economic prosperity. Continued investment in education translates into a prosperous future for Texas.
For further information, please contact the Dallas College communications office.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
