AUSTIN - Today, Senator Hinojosa announces that the Texas Workforce Commission Chairman, Andres Alcantar, will present a check for a Skills Development Fund Grant of $1.5 million to a consortium of colleges, including Coastal Bend and Del Mar Colleges. The grant will be used to enhance the colleges' ability to address the training needs of oil and gas exploration in the Eagle Ford Shale.

Senator Hinojosa will be part of the check presentation to Coastal Bend and Del Mar Colleges this afternoon in Corpus Christi as part of the Eagle Ford Shale Fall 2013 Conference. This conference, presented by the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium at the Port of Corpus Christi on October 28-30th, represents a cooperative effort between regional leaders in South Texas, community stakeholders, and the oil and gas industry operating in the Eagle Ford Shale.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"I am pleased with the Texas Workforce Commission awarding grants to assist our young people with the training and skills they need to work with oil and gas exploration in the Eagle Ford Shale. It is critical we develop an educated workforce and these grants will help do just that. It is also important that we continue developing Eagle Ford as an energy source and that we provide job-creating measures that provide jobs for our families and opportunities for our young people. The coordination of the private, public and local communities is the key to success."

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