The $500,000 grant awarded to Waco’s Texas State Technical College launches the Nanotechnology Workforce Development Initiative to encourage students to pursue careers in nanotechnology,
Gov. Rick Perry announced Tuesday.

TSTC will work with Baylor University, Del Mar College of Corpus Christi and Zyvex Corporation of Richardson on the initiative.

Click Here For TSTC Waco Web Site

Click Here For Baylor University Web Site

Click Here For DelMar College Web Site

Click Here For Zyvex Corporation Web Site

“Texas is a technology powerhouse, not by accident but because of active planning and strong public-private partnerships like this one,” Perry said.

“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Texas remains a key player in the high-tech workforce of the 21st Century.”

The federal grant administered by the Texas Workforce Commission will fund internships and apprenticeships for engineering students at TSTC-Waco and Del Mar College in nanoscale manufacturing at Zyvex.

As many as 40 to 50 students could get hands-on experience through the initiative.

“It’s imperative that we have a well trained, innovative workforce to bring the promise of nanotechnology to fruition here in Texas and the U.S.,” said Zyvex Founder and CEO James R. Von Her II.

“This program is a major step to helping us meet the challenges of this competitive global economy and achieve that goal.”

Internships will be offered through Baylor University’s Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics and Engineering Research, whose experimental lab is housed on the TSTC Waco campus.

Similar initiatives will be developed at the state’s 51 community colleges, Perry said.

Click Here For National Nanotechnology Initiative Web Site