MCC Partners to Train Healthcare Workers

Nov. 21, 2024

WACO, TX – Dwyer Workforce Development (“DWD”), a national healthcare workforce development nonprofit, announced its investment in Waco, partnering with McLennan Community College (“MCC”) and Southern Careers Institute Waco Branch Campus (SCI Waco) to train hundreds of healthcare workers.

Recognizing the growing need for healthcare workers in the greater Waco region, along with a rapidly aging local senior population, the collaboration will train Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) to provide essential, basic care to residents of long-term care facilities as well as other healthcare settings.

“SCI is focused on smart growth to continue to strengthen and enhance the communities we serve, and our partnership with Dwyer Workforce Development will enable us to grow in our training, particularly for at-risk communities,” said Roy Hawkins, Campus Director Southern Careers Institute. “We are already seeing extremely high interest from the Waco community for this program, highlighting a strong desire among under-resourced communities to pursue rewarding careers in healthcare, and we’re honored to help them along the way.”

Through their innovative partnership, MCC and SCI Waco will identify students to become Dwyer Scholars and provide training, while DWD offers comprehensive, person-centered case management and a variety of need-based wraparound services — such as housing, transportation and childcare assistance.

“Our partnership with Dwyer Workforce Development will help remove barriers, such as costs to attend college, and prepare a new generation of healthcare workers, filling a gap in a high needs industry,” said Frank Graves, Dean of Workforce and Public Service at McLennan Community College. “MCC is dedicated to empowering individuals at every stage of life to explore their options and understand how classes offering credentials and degrees impact current and future career earnings. This initiative supports several of our goals -- helping students succeed at the highest level possible, making an impact in the community and developing resources to fund success.”

SCI Waco and MCC will offer CNA training programs that run five weeks long or less, with flexible schedules to accommodate nontraditional student schedules, including daytime, nights and weekends. The tuition-free program aims to address Texas’ loss of nearly 40 percent of its CNAs over the last decade, a gap that is felt acutely in Waco.

“The impact of socioeconomic characteristics such as educational attainment and poverty on a person’s overall health and ability to advance are profound,” said Barb Clapp, CEO, Dwyer Workforce
Development. “We know that education is power, and we are committed to addressing systemic barriers head-on so we can make a lasting difference in Waco through this partnership.”

Upon completion of the program, Dwyer Scholars receive job placement support and opportunities to continue their healthcare education at no cost – all the way through nursing school – while continuing to receive case management and need-based support.

The organizations encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to apply. For more information and to apply, visit www.scitexas.edu or call 833-scitexas or www.mclennan.edu or call 254-299-8888.

MCC#

About McLennan Community College (www.mclennan.edu) The mission of McLennan Community College in Waco (est. 1965) is to educate students while improving and enriching lives in McLennan and Falls counties. With approximately 8,000 students per semester, McLennan offers over 140 degrees, certificates, and occupational skills awards at an affordable price with flexible class schedules on a beautiful 275-acre campus adjacent to Cameron Park and the Bosque River. The College is home of the Highlanders – a nationally recognized athletic program with a tradition of success and honor in competition and in the classroom. The McLennan campus values above all else: people, inclusiveness, integrity, communication, and excellence.

About Dwyer Workforce Development (www.dwyerworkforcedev.org) Dwyer Workforce Development is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviate a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of seniors and the community at large. Dwyer Workforce Development provides program participants – Dwyer Scholars – Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, job placement support in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, need-based wraparound services, and person-centered case management to foster successful outcomes. Founded by businessman, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Jack Dwyer and his family, in 2021, DWD’s unique model is redefining what it means to give back by creating career opportunities for those who lack opportunity, reducing healthcare staff shortages, and improving senior care. For more information, visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org and follow DWD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Southern Careers Institute (www.scitexas.edu)
Founded in 1960, Southern Careers Institute (SCI) has been dedicated to empowering Texas students through career-focused education. With eight campuses conveniently located in Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio North, San Antonio South, and Waco, SCI offers a diverse array of programs designed to prepare students for successful careers and meaningful community contributions. Our training programs encompass various fields, including Business, Beauty, Medical, Technology, and Trades, with options for hybrid and online learning to accommodate different learning styles. Please note that not all programs are available at every campus.