Corpus Christi, Texas – Education to Employment Partners (E2E), a community-based nonprofit organization, has been granted $20,000 from the AT&T Foundation to improve workforce training and employment opportunities for residents of Nueces County. Working closely with the City of Corpus Christi and Coastal Compass Education & Career Resource Center (Coastal Compass), E2E will implement the IGNITE Tech Academy to provide participants with access to education and training to further their skills and help them transition into the rapidly growing IT sector. Jeff West, Executive Director of E2E said: "We are so grateful to the AT&T Foundation and to Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette M. Guajardo for supporting efforts to provide local residents with this amazing opportunity. Workforce training in the IT sector is a high-demand pathway for our region and successful completion of this training will lead to increased wages for those who choose to participate.”

J.D. Salinas, Vice President for External & Legislative Affairs with AT&T, added, “Today weare establishing yet another direct path to innovation and technology here in Corpus Christi.Helping fund the Ignite Tech Academy provides life-changing opportunities to students. AtAT&T, we continuously strive to be a leader in innovation and technology. Our proof is in ourproducts, offers, and most importantly the work we are doing in the community.”

E2E, through a dedicated and experienced coordinator, will provide program recruitment, overall program coordination, employability and transferable skills training, and employer matching for on-the-job training or workforce employment. After rigorous in-person classroom instruction, hands-on training, and demonstration of their digital literacy, participants will receive an industry-recognized certification, the CompTIA A+. As part of the program, participants will be connected with local businesses and organizations for additional on-the-job training or employment.
The City of Corpus Christi, with E2E and Coastal Compass, will provide training classroom space, technical skills instruction, advertising/marketing support, and assist with employer matching for workforce employment. Mayor Guajardo commented: “This collaborative effort represents a partnership that will improve the lives of local residents while also working to increase the economic vitality of our region. The program will strengthen our workforce and advance economic opportunities by providing employers with a new source of skilled labor.”

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. AT&T Connected Learning is a multi- year commitment to bridge the digital divide and narrow the homework gap, so today’s learners are connected with skills, resources, and opportunities for success in school and in life. Since 2008, we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.

About Education to Employment Partners
Education to Employment Partners (E2E) works in partnership with education, community, and workforce organizations to increase educational and job attainment in the Coastal Bend by connecting stakeholders to information supports, and resources. E2E direct service programs and collective impact initiatives include the following:

-Coastal Bend Regional P-16 Council - leading efforts to promote a seamless educational continuum that ensures postsecondary and career readiness by providing conferences for students and professional development for educators (https://www.e2epartners.org/?s=recapture+your+dream+program)

-Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center - a free source of education and career information and assistance, located at La Palmera Mall (www.coastalcompass.org)

-Emerging Professionals Internship Program and Career Training Programs - preparing and placing high school seniors in internship or pre-apprenticeship positions with local employers (www.e2epartners.org/emerging-professionals-internship-program)

-Recapture Your Dream program - assisting adults with some college and no degree to complete their education (www.e2epartners.org/recapture-your-dream)

-UpSkill Coastal Bend Partnership – leading efforts to drive long-term systems change and increased educational attainment in the region by bringing together workforce,   education, and economic development experts (www.upskillcoastalbend.org)

For more information, please contact Mr. Jeff West at [email protected] or 361-687-7637.