Austin Community College and the Texas Department of Information Resources have joined forces to establish a technology and cybersecurity apprenticeship program for students. The ACC Highland Campus held a formal signing ceremony on June 28 to kickstart the new program.
The program aims to allow students to pursue their education while gaining hands-on career skills at the same time. Over the past year, ACC has seen more than 100 students complete apprenticeships in various fields like health sciences and manufacturing.
This partnership is in line with House Bill 584, which became effective on Sep. 1, 2023. The bill states that state information departments can collaborate with public junior colleges or technical institutes to address shortages in information resources in the state.
Texas Rep. Donna Howard believes that this partnership can be advantageous for both ACC students and the state departments involved. She envisions a scenario where apprenticeships and credentials can lead to positions in IT cybersecurity, even without a four-year degree, offering opportunities for those with experience and knowledge to protect information resources.
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) will serve as the employer for the initial pilot program, with ACC planning to use this model for future program partnerships with businesses and industries. The next partnership program on the horizon for ACC is with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.