Lone Star College System welcomed Maria Syms, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) senior policy director for education, to LSC-Westway Park Technology Center on March 31.
She toured the facility, learned more about degree and certification program offerings, and met with LSCS leadership to discuss how her agency can help support student success and workforce readiness.
“The Department of Labor is very committed to being out in the field and understanding what works for you, what pain points you may have, how we can assist, and what we can learn from you and share with others,” Syms said.
The federal government is working toward 1 million active apprenticeships nationally to develop talented individuals for high-paying skilled trades jobs. Industries of focus include shipbuilding and defense; artificial intelligence, semiconductor and nuclear energy infrastructure; information technology; health care; transportation; and telecommunications, according to the DOL.
Syms said gaining insight into educational institutions’ challenges helps inform policy at the federal level. Securing paid internship opportunities and ensuring industry partners are willing to hire new graduates for entry-level positions can alleviate barriers to student success, LSCS leaders shared.
“Lone Star College System is committed to partnering with the federal government in its endeavor to boost skilled trades jobs,” said Kristy Vienne, Ed.D., LSCS vice chancellor, Finance and Administration. “We appreciate the Department of Labor taking the time to visit with us and see firsthand what we’re doing to train the future workforce.”
At LSC-Westway Park Technology Center, more than 2,000 students are training for jobs in information technology and visual communication. Computer science, computer programming, cybersecurity, network administration, cloud computing, graphic design, 3D Animation and multimedia studies are among the programs offered.
“Our instructors are experts in their fields. Along with core technical skills, they also embed soft skills—communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork—across all programs so our students are prepared to enter the workforce immediately after program completion,” said Kimberly Hubbard, Ph.D., LSC-Westway Park Technology Center dean. “Our classrooms and labs are equipped with the same technology they’ll be using in the field, and we’re consistently modifying our programs to maintain industry relevance.”
The center opened in 2019 with training labs designed to emulate real-world workplaces for a seamless student-to-employee transition. Graduates go on to work in industries such as aerospace, education, and oil and gas. The student population includes both traditional learners entering the field for the first time and non-traditional students seeking to advance, update their skills or transition into a new area of focus.
Learn more about LSC-Westway Park Technology Center’s offerings at LoneStar.edu/Westway-Center.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSCS, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, six centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.