The local economy will benefit from a $1 million state grant secured by Laredo Community College to provide specialized training for the new Convergys-Laredo facility.
Announcement of the new Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant was made on Monday, Aug. 22 by Texas Workforce Commissioner Diane Rath and Senator Judith Zaffirini at the Zaffirini Library on the LCC South campus. Leaders from Convergys and LCC also were present.
The Skills Development Fund is led by the Texas Workforce Commission to assist businesses and labor unions in designing, financing and implementing customized job training programs in partnership with public community and technical colleges for new or existing jobs in local businesses.
LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina said the college has been successful in securing SDF grants for area businesses in past years, and is excited to have obtained a grant for Convergys, the city’s first major telemarketing firm.
“Laredo Community College is pleased to acquire the Skills Development Fund grant through our collaboration with Convergys because this effort will strengthen the company’s ability to be globally competitive, as well as to stay and continue expanding in Laredo,” LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina said.
Convergys, regarded as one of the world’s leading providers of business process outsourcing services, began hiring and training employees for its Laredo center in May.
College officials explained that the company initially had plans to bring at least 300 new jobs to Laredo.
But by the time that LCC was close to completing the SDF application, Convergys requested that the proposal accommodate training for 1,000 new jobs.
LCC Chief Development Officer Blas Castañeda said the college is grateful that the TWC saw the need to fund this project.
“The more successful the business is, the greater the investment it will make to expand and increase job opportunities, which translates to more dollars for our local economy,” Castañeda noted.
He added that the college received valuable support from the South Texas Workforce Development Board and the Laredo Development Foundation to attain the state funds.
“LCC is proud to support endeavors like this one, which demonstrate LCC’s commitment to supporting economic development in our community,” Dovalina said.
The LCC Continuing Education Department and Convergys have designed a customized bilingual training plan to prepare new-hires to effectively perform their duties at the local telecommunications facility. The training will focus on customer care, billing and marketing services utilizing the latest telecommunication technology for a high growth international business environment along the Texas/Mexico border. LCC will manage the project, handling all the reporting that must be submitted to the state on behalf of the business.
Convergys encourages potential candidates to apply for positions by calling 888-484-HIRE (4473) or by visiting www.convergys.greatjob.net.
Castaneda said that owners of area businesses are encouraged to contact his office to explore the benefits of the Skills Development Fund. For more information, call the LCC Development Office at 721-5102.
Among those present at the announcement were, from left, Daymion Montanez from Convergys, Laredo Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores, Senator Judith Zaffirini, LCC Chief Development Officer Blas Castaneda, LCC Vice-President for Instruction and Student Development Dr. Juan Maldonado, Commissioner Rath and LCC Executive Director for Resource Development David Brown.
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