In a bold step toward empowering Houston’s next generation of trades professionals, Houston Community College (HCC) has been awarded a game-changing $282,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, supercharging its Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub with new fuel for success.

This is not just a win — it’s a workforce revolution in the making.

The grant, awarded as part of the Apprenticeship Training Program, will deliver high-impact instruction in plumbing, sheet metal, and electrical technician pathways — some of the most in-demand trades shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow. Running through August, this initiative is set to empower up to 550 new apprentices, connecting Houstonians of all backgrounds to skill-based, income-generating opportunities.

“We are working hard to strengthen workforce readiness by partnering with employers and labor organizations to expand access to career training,” said Dr. Christina Robinson, Executive Director of Work-based Learning and Industry Partnerships. “Our goal is to increase the pipeline of skilled workers in these essential fields.”

🔧 Trades That Transform Lives — and Communities

Houston Style Magazine knows that economic empowerment starts with opportunity, and that’s exactly what this program provides. The Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship HUB is Houston’s premier matchmaker between employers hungry for skilled talent and ambitious learners eager to work, learn, and thrive.

This isn’t your grandpa’s apprenticeship. It’s a modern, high-tech, purpose-driven path to a secure and meaningful career.

“Apprenticeships are becoming a top employee recruitment tool for businesses,” said HCC Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, “and a meaningful learning experience for motivated job seekers of all ages and backgrounds.”

And she’s absolutely right. These apprenticeships aren’t just jobs — they’re launchpads.

🌟 Recognized Nationally, Focused Locally

In 2023, HCC was named an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. That’s national recognition for doing the work that really matters — expanding access, modernizing learning, and championing inclusive, skills-based education in Houston and beyond.

Behind the scenes, Dr. Christina Robinson continues to lead the charge. With over $5 million in grant-funded programs under her purview, she is a national thought leader in adult education and workforce readiness.

From launching the “Change Your Life for $20” campaign to building the Career4U Academy, Robinson has earned praise from the Texas Higher Education Board (winning the STAR Award in 2015) and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (with the Our Great Region 2040 Award). Her leadership is the kind that transforms both institutions and individual lives.

💡 “What Can Higher Education Learn from Healthcare Innovation?” — Robinson’s doctoral dissertation title says it all. She’s not just thinking outside the box; she’s redesigning the entire blueprint.

💼 Ready to Learn, Ready to Earn

This grant isn’t just about plumbing or sheet metal — it’s about powering up Houston’s economic engine. It's about earning while learning, leveling up without the burden of debt, and opening the door to careers that are sustainable, respected, and essential.

The apprenticeship programs align perfectly with Houston’s long-term economic needs and workforce evolution. Skilled trades are in demand, and thanks to this investment, HCC is training the city’s next generation to meet the moment — head-on and hands-on.

✅ Learn More, Apply Today

If you’re ready to turn hustle into a high-paying skill, visit: 👉 hccs.edu/apprenticeship