The Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin (HTIA), a foundation of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was awarded $154,995 this year. Technology On the Go, as known as TONGO, is funded by the Wagner – Peyser Grant, Federal funds allocated to each State Governor’s Office every July for workforce training and services. TONGO is a bilingual training program that offers clients a range of skill enhancing components to meet current and high-growth needs. The vast majority of “high-growth” jobs as categorized by the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Labor Market & Career Information Department—require or could benefit from computer and technology skills.  It is imperative that we equip our community to meet this growth and continue Texas’ path of economic success.   HTIA’s approach to technology training is cognizant of the Hispanic culture and the high percentage of Spanish-speaking-only households. We will reach out to the Hispanic community through venues with established roots that already serve as gathering hubs through a mobile computer lab solution which will allow us to go to the client.

We will take our Mobile Training Lab to partnering facilities – CARITAS of Austin, El Buen Samaritano, the Small Business Development Center at Texas State University (Round Rock), and area churches like, San Jose– which will save the state from underwriting large expenditures for capital building investments.   Key points of program TONGO, a new and improved version of HTIA’s initial community workforce program, covers more than simply training in basic, intermediate and advanced technology and software. We will equip our clients with more skills in using English at their work sites and with cultural adaptation skills.  We anticipate having 100 participants in the program and we expect to deliver 21,800 hours of training.   For more information or to register for the classes, please call (512) 476-7502.