Texas Workforce Excellence Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information contact:
Mike Running, Executive Director
Dumas Economic Development Corporation
806-934-3332/ running@dumasedc.org
NEWS RELEASE
4/26/2011–Dumas EDC and Amarillo College Win Workforce Development Award DUMAS, TEXAS — The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has awarded the Dumas Economic Development Corporation (Dumas EDC) and Amarillo College-Moore County Campus (AC-MCC) the 2010 Workforce Excellence Award, for the Wind & Renewable Energy Technical Training Program. The award recognizes exceptional contributions by a Texas community that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. The project demonstrated an innovative approach to the technical aspects of workforce development, showed a potential use by other communities and demonstrated community commitment. “This is a wonderful tribute to the outstanding partnership our community has formed with the great people of Amarillo College”, stated Mike Running, Dumas EDC Executive Director. The Wind & Renewable Energy program at AC-MCC was initiated as a result of collaboration between the college and the Dumas EDC in order to prepare for anticipated opportunities within the wind industry. Estimates concluded that between 500 and 750 wind technicians will be needed in the Texas Panhandle by 2012. Dumas EDC provided $69,000 in order to help launch the program. According to Running, he and Amarillo College Moore County Campus Director, Renee Vincent began discussions about the proposed program in early 2009. The Dumas EDC had been aggressively targeting wind energy related businesses and felt a program would complement their efforts well. A funding proposal for the program was first presented to the DEDC Board of Directors and was unanimously approved and later ratified by a unanimous vote of the Dumas City Commission. A Check Presentation Ceremony was held in May 2009 and AC Science & Engineering Division Chair, Jack Stanley , utilized the funding to help initiate the program. “This partnership is testimony to the proactive and progressive nature of Mrs. Vincent, her staff and our community leaders in their willingness to create training programs applicable to our changing times”, stated Running.
The Renewable Energy–Wind Technology Program will train a workforce that will meet industry needs, while preparing talented individuals for lucrative careers in all phases of wind-turbine technology, construction, operation and maintenance. The program offers two certificate programs and an associate degree program in wind energy and is now working to add solar and geothermal training.
For more information on the program, go to www.actx.edu/wind
The TEDC Workforce Committee, representing economic development leaders from around the State of Texas, recommends finalists for the Workforce Excellence Awards. The Workforce Excellence Award is given to one nominee in each of the five population categories; Dumas received the award for communities under 15,000. The 2010 TEDC Workforce Excellence Award was presented to Dumas representatives, Mike Running, Jack Stanley and Moore County Campus Advisory Board Chairman, Larry Appel and his wife Judith at the Award’s Breakfast on April 27, 2011, in Sugarland, Texas.
