FORT WORTH, Texas (Apr. 24, 2024) – The Multi-Family Property Maintenance program at Tarrant County College (TCC) presented its first cohort of students with certificates of completion on Friday, April 5. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the students and highlighted the program’s vital role in addressing workforce challenges within the housing industry.
The Multi-Family Property Maintenance (MFPM) program consists of seven continuing education courses equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for entry-level maintenance positions in apartment communities and other multi-family properties. Recognizing the increasing difficulty in retaining maintenance professionals, Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) and TCC collaborated to create the program, providing career advancement opportunities for Fort Worth-area residents and addressing workforce needs within the multi-family housing industry.
“The success of this program is a testament to the hard work and innovation of a number of organizations and individuals,” said Mary-Margaret Lemons, President of Fort Worth Housing Solutions. “Thanks to TCC and our other community partners, we’re paving the way for success for residents, properties and the Fort Worth community as a whole.”
Chris Shelby, an FWHS resident, spearheaded the instruction of the program, bringing firsthand experience and expertise to the classroom. His journey from seeking to rejoin the workforce after a health-related hiatus to becoming a program instructor reflects the program’s commitment to fostering career growth and economic empowerment within FWHS communities and beyond.
The Fort Worth Apartment Association was a vital partner in the development and success of the course, connecting students with real-world training opportunities, potential employers, and a network of industry professionals. They also helped set up the first cohort of students for success by providing them with new utility bags filled with wrenches, pliers and other essential tools for their future careers.
The course found another key partner in RPM Living. The property management company allowed four MFPM students the opportunity for a three-day apprenticeship to provide on-the-job training over the course of the seven-week program. Each participant was placed at an FWHS site managed by RPM.
This partnership resulted in one student receiving an offer for full-time employment at an RPM Living-managed property. This student also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Texas at Arlington, and he plans to use the knowledge he gained from the MFPM program to eventually start his own property maintenance business.
“We are very proud of the nine students who completed the Multi-Family Property Maintenance Program and overjoyed with our collaboration between Fort Worth Housing Solutions, RPM Living Property Management and TCC,” said Artrese Hartman, Director of Workforce Programs at TCC. “This program is a vital addition to our program offerings at the TCC Opportunity Center, recognizing the importance of training maintenance professionals ‘the right way’ to provide property owners a pool of potential employees for hiring to assist with maintaining their multi-family properties.”
Tuition for the first cohort of students was provided by the Barbara Holston Education Fund, an FWHS-affiliated scholarship foundation. This support ensured that students could access the course without financial barriers, further emphasizing the commitment to empowering individuals within the community. The program has now been registered with the Texas Workforce Commission to allow future students to access similar financial aid opportunities.
The partnership between TCC and FWHS underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing workforce challenges and creating pathways to success for residents. By providing accessible education and training opportunities, the program not only meets the needs of the community but also strengthens the housing industry as a whole.
Moving forward, TCC and FWHS remain dedicated to expanding access to education and training opportunities that directly address the needs of the community. The MFPM program stands as a testament to their collaborative approach and commitment to building a brighter future for all.
For more information about future program offerings or to get involved, please visit https://www.tccd.edu/academics/courses-and-programs/programs-a-z/non-credit/multi-family-property-maintenance/ or contact FWHS.
About Tarrant County College (TCC):
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second-lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.
About Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS):
Fort Worth Housing Solutions is the premier provider of affordable housing in the City of Fort Worth. The agency’s portfolio includes over 50 mixed-income properties across the city with around 90% percent of its units offered at various levels of affordability to income-eligible residents. The agency also manages federal Housing Choice Vouchers and other rental assistance programs that help about 6,400 families and individuals cover housing costs each year. In all, FWHS ensures that more than 33,000 people have a safe, affordable place to call home each day. Learn more at www.fwhs.org.
