Texas Mutual Insurance Company is awarding a $100,000 grant to Odessa College to continue funding the college’s safety institute, which provides workplace safety courses for employers, workers and the general public.
This is the third consecutive year that Texas Mutual, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, has given a $100,000 grant to the college to support its safety training program. The initial grant in 2019 was used to establish the safety institute. June also is National Safety Month.
“Since the inception of the Odessa College safety institute, we have provided valuable workplace safety education and training to our students, employees and the surrounding community and helped strengthen the overall safety knowledge of local businesses,” Louis Gonzales, associate dean of continuing education at Odessa College, stated in a news release. “We wouldn’t be able to provide this service to our area workforce without the support of Texas Mutual, for which we’re very grateful.”
“This past year’s COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all, but this challenge forced us to seek other opportunities. We were able to continue offering trainings by utilizing technology and offering the classes virtually. Moving forward, we have been able to extend our reach even further to support our service area,” Gonzales added.
Over a 22-year period, Texas Mutual has awarded $9.9 million in safety education grants, and more than 35,000 students have attended free or discounted safety training offered at various colleges. Odessa College is one of 11 community colleges in Texas that provides safety classes via funding from Texas Mutual. The safety education grants are one way Texas Mutual is delivering on its commitment to build a stronger, safer Texas, the release said.
For more information about the Odessa College safety institute, contact the Continuing Education department at 432-335-6575.
