At the regular board meeting of Texarkana College (TC) trustees, Brandon Washington, TC’s Vice President of Campus Operations and Dean of Workforce Education, reported that TC has been approved by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to begin offering welding courses in Fall 2023 to inmates at the Barry B. Telford Unit located in New Boston, Texas. The Barry B. Telford Unit is operated by the TDCJ and is a maximum-security prison for male inmates that can house a maximum of 2,872 inmates. Washington said TC received word this month that $150,000 in TDCJ funding had been approved to purchase training equipment and materials for the program start up.
“Through TC’s partnership with the Barry B. Telford Unit, eligible inmates will now have access to training that will prepare them to reenter society with a career pathway as a welder,” said Washington.
“TC’s workforce training programs provide skills that lead to jobs in regional high-demand occupations and there is a need for trained welders in our area. We are glad to have the opportunity to provide educational and career programs designed to assist incarcerated individuals with a successful transition back into the community once released.” Washington said students will be able to earn workforce and academic credit.
