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Education

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Mission offers a diversity of quality public and private school options in elementary and secondary education.

Primary & Secondary Education

All Mission schools are fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Three school districts serve the Mission area. The Mission CISD consists of 12 elementary schools, two junior high schools and two high schools. The Sharyland ISD consists of five elementary, one junior high and high school campus. La Joya ISD serves part of Mission as well.

Mission CISD students are given the opportunity to enroll in a challenging and rigorous curriculum. Qualifying high school seniors can also begin earning college credit through concurrent enrollment courses with UT- Pan American or South Texas Community College. Special programs and services that are offered by Mission CISD schools include: open enrollment full-day pre-k classes, 21st Century Community Learning Centers and after school programs, adult education, GEAR UP mentor/tutor program, migrant services, Partners In Education, extended year, Values First Initiative, UIL events, complete honors programs, counseling services

University of Texas-Pan Am (UT-Pan Am)

The University of Texas-Pan American is one of the leading Hispanic universities in the country, and an educational pillar for South Texas. It is the 10th largest university in the state and the fifth largest in the UT System. UTPA offers 55 bachelor’s degrees, 42 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees.

Among its latest additions are a cooperative doctoral pharmacy program with UT Austin and master’s degrees in mechanical, manufacturing and electrical engineering.

To assist in having the labor force ready and trained to work, there are a number of local and state programs and resources for workforce development.

South Texas College (STC)

South Texas College, the Rio Grande Valley’s newest higher education institution, opened its doors in 1993. The comprehensive community college offers more than 85 degree and certificate programs. These include Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees, and certificates in numerous fields of study.
Dr. Shirley A. Reed, South Texas College’s founding president, has led the college in developing new degree and certificate programs that have resulted in dramatic increases in student enrollment. The college had only 1,000 students during its first year. Today, STC has almost 14,000 students, making it by far the fastest growing community college in the state. The continuing growth in student enrollment demonstrates that the college is meeting the community’s need for a comprehensive two-year college to serve Hidalgo and Starr County.

STC has campuses in McAllen, Weslaco and Rio Grande City as well as the Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Center in McAllen, and the Center for Advanced and Applied Technology in south McAllen near the ForeignTrade Zone. Concurrent enrollment and academic dual credit programs are offered in school districts throughout the two counties. The programs allow eligible high school students to take college courses while attending high school.

The college continues to add programs, facilities and course offerings to meet community needs. All new programs are designed, developed and implemented based on workforce needs identified through labor market research.

The STC faculty is among the most qualified in the nation. In the degreed programs, 158 faculty members have master’s degrees, 29 have double masters and 37 have doctorate degrees. In certificate and other programs, there are 35 faculty members with bachelor’s degrees and 27 with Associate of Applied Science degrees. In 2001, STC received 10-year re-accreditation status from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Call 1-800-742-STCC or (956) 631-8311 for more information, or visit the website at www.stcc.cc.tx.us.

The Partnership for Community, Business and Industry Training

The Partnership for Community, Business and Industry Training provides opportunities for lifelong learners who want to upgrade their skills, change careers or seek personal enrichment. The division offers a variety of courses that satisfy employer needs for customized training to upgrade skills of current employees and prepare new employees. Mandatory Continuing Education Units meeting licensing requirements are also available for certified professionals. Classes are scheduled with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, throughout Hidalgo and Starr County. Courses can be scheduled in response to community demand where 12 or more students register for the class.

One of the many functions of The Partnership is to assist in the pursuit and application process to obtain necessary funding for workforce development. Call (956) 992-6197 for more information.

Job Training Partnership Act

The Federally funded Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 (JTPA) is available in Texas at no cost to the employer. The funding priority and selection process for the JTPA program are determined by the County of Hidalgo. State and local officials can meet with company officials and representatives to determine the best way of meeting a company’s training needs. The County of Hidalgo will develop customized training programs, fund on-the-job training and pay up to 50% of wages incurred during on-the-job training programs.

Texas Smart Jobs Program

The Smart Jobs program offers work force development funding for employers to secure training for demand, emerging or manufacturing occupations. Businesses who have been in operation for one year, demonstrate financial soundness and are current on state tax obligations can apply individually or as part of a partnership.

Skills Development Program

This program funds training for all new hires for companies who qualify. The funds include instructor and supply expenses. Developed courses in the following are offered:

  • Plastic Technology
  • Machining Technology
  • ISO/QS-9000
  • Statistical Process Control
  • Design of Experiments
  • PPAP
  • APQP
  • FMEA
  • Supervisory Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Microsoft Office
  • Forklift Training
  • OSHA
  • CPR/First Aid
  • Internet Searching Techniques
  • Basic Accounting
  • Hydraulics, Pneumatics
  • Electricity Safety
  • Programmable Logic Control
  • And many others…

These courses can be customized to fit the company’s needs. Training can be done on-site or off-site, and can be initiated even before the company is in full operation.

WorkFORCE Solutions

The Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board dba WorkFORCE Solutions will work with you to provide the most qualified employees for your industry. WorkFORCE Solutions has established WorkFORCE Solutions Centers throughout the Hidalgo-Willacy Counties. Staff at the centers is ready to assist you in recruiting efforts, screening potential employees and performing skills tests. WorkFORCE Solutions Center staff can also answer any questions about tax incentives for hiring certain target groups such as Welfare recipients.

WorkFORCE Solutions also offers the following additional services:

  • On-the-Job Training
  • Customized Training
  • Referral to education and training services for new and incumbent employees
  • Unemployment Insurance/Tax Information
  • Access to Employment or Labor Law Information
  • Access to Local and statewide labor market information (is available to keep employers informed about the changing labor market)

For additional information call (956) 928-3959 or (956) 928-5005.