The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing
An Affiliate of the North American Advancd Manufacturing Research & Education Initiative
The Rio South Texas College Manufacturing Alliance is charged with leading the implementation of a regional skills credentialing customized training system in the region. The service region is Webb, Jim Hogg, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties.
The Alliance was established five years ago to implement a regional apprenticeship program for tool and die, industrial maintenance, machinists and plastics.South Texas College is the lead agency.
The Alliance includes representatives from Texas Southmost College, Laredo Community College, Texas State Technical College, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, WorkFORCE Solutions, Cameron, South Texas Workforce Board, South Texas Manufacturers Association, Harlingen Manufacturers Association and Brownsville Area Manufacturers Association.
The Alliance has established three Advanced Manufacturing Institutes at South Texas College, Texas State Technical College, Texas Southmost College and Laredo Community College. This talent development strategy will be supported by WIRED funds and other leveraged talent development funds. The WIRED investment and a leveraged three million dollar Skills Development Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission will create a world class regional customized training delivery system for advanced manufacturing, training 2,500 new and incumbent workers over three years.
