KC gets grant for Risk Management institute

Dr. Bill Holda, president of Kilgoree College, announced Monday that Kilgore College has received a $100,000 grant from Texas Mutual Insurance Company to use for funding of the KC Risk Management Institute.

The institute, a division of the KC Workforce Development Program, will use the money to offer and promote free safety training to employees across East Texas.

"Many companies in the area have had to cut more and more safety courses out of their budgets," said Martha Woodruff, director of KC Workforce Development. "We are just thrilled to get this grant to offer free highquality employee training to help businesses keep their workers safe. The employees and employers don't have to pay a cent for this service. It's all free of charge and there is no catch."

KC will offer two sessions in April that will be taught by Texas Mutual instructors certified by Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

The first class session, which is already full, will be offered April 1-2. There are still spaces available in the second session, Wednesday and Thursday, April 2-3. Wednesday's course will be from 1 - 5 p.m. and the Thursday course will be from 8 - 5 p.m.

"Graduates will receive both an OSHA certificate as well as one from KC," Woodruff said. "We are keeping the class size to a maximum of 35 per session to maintain a high level of quality instruction."

KC is the third college in Texas to be awarded such a grant along with the College of Mainland (located in Texas City) and Midland College.

"We are currently in the process of putting together a schedule of ongoing courses for the institute and look forward to working with businesses and industries to help train their employees," Woodruff said. "We are also encouraging all employers to let us know what kind of training they need for their employees. We are always willing to work with employers to create training programs to meet any of their needs."