Students on both sides of the border can participate in technical training courses


Courtesy
Laredo Community College President Ricardo J. Solis, center, and Instituto Internacional de Estudios Superiores Director Carlos Martinez Gonzalez, second from right, sign an international agreement between both educational institutions on Thursday in the De La Garza Building at the Fort McIntosh Campus. On hand to celebrate the occasion were LCC board of trustees President Mercurio Martinez Jr., left, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Specialist David Ortiz, second from left, and Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents President Lucy Mejia, right.


Posted: Friday, August 26, 2016 3:52 pm |Updated: 5:22 pm, Fri Aug 26, 2016.
Special to the Times

An international agreement between Laredo Community College and the Instituto Internacional de Estudios Superiores (IIES) of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, will now serve as the catalyst for bi-national technical training opportunities for individuals living on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

College leaders from both institutions and community representatives were present to sign the international agreement during a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 25 in the De La Garza Building, room 101, at the Fort McIntosh Campus.

The agreement is organized through the collaborative efforts of the LCC Economic Development Center, IIES, the Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents, Inc. (ALFA), and the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC).

Through their joint efforts, individuals will be afforded the chance to participate in specialized technical training courses aimed at meeting current industry demands.

IIES Director Carlos Martinez Gonzalez explained how these trainings that will help grow and expand the current workforce, particularly the manufacturing, international trade, and security services industries.

“LCC and IIES share the same vision of economic development for the region. We share the same values and vision of creating these bi-national training programs.

"We can expand our possibilities through this international agreement and build a new relationship between our institutions,” said Martinez.

LCC Economic Development Center Director Rodney Rodriguez is excited to embark on this new international agreement and hopes to continue strengthening the international ties between both educational entities.

“I am elated that the partnership efforts we have been working on with the Instituto Internacional de Estudios Superiores are coming to fruition.

"This signing ceremony will commemorate our commitment to work together to enhance the quality of life of our citizens through education and training for both sides of the border,” explained Rodriguez.

Currently, the LCC Economic Development Center, in partnership with Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association and ALFA, provide resources and identify challenges on issues concerning the transportation and international trade industry.

Through these local partnerships, the LCC Economic Development Center is able to help support the growth and development of its community.

“The LCC Economic Development Center has demonstrated strong partnerships in the Laredo region geared towards providing resources to meet the demands of the international trade industry,” Rodriguez said.

“Moreover, this partnership will enhance the working relationship we have established in the Municipality of Nuevo Laredo in the Mexican State of Tamaulipas to provide education and technical training.”

For more information on the international agreement, contact the LCC Economic Development Center at 721-5110.

http://www.lmtonline.com/front-news/article_f290b0d6-6bce-11e6-905a-d70d8295fe11.html