Holcim (US) Inc.’s Ada plant was recently recognized for its partnership with East Central University, concerning its innovative collaboration that strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce.
Holcim is one of 27 Oklahoma businesses, which partnered with institutions of higher learning from across the state.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.
Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships for current students of the institution s to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the tuition waivers.
ECU is celebrating its 103rd year of partnership with Holcim (US) Inc., formerly Ideal Cement, in Ada. As environmental leaders in the Ada area, Holcim and ECU teamed up to lead the Oklahoma Green Expo and its signature event, the “Tour de Green” bicycle rally.
Holcim and ECU are actively involved in the nationally recognized and nationally awarded Southern Workforce Board. Last year, employees from the Holcim Ada plant provided more than 1,300 volunteer hours in community service. Holcim has endowed an annual scholarship in environmental health sciences to ECU students, as well as hired its graduates.
Holcim Ada employees are active in promoting youth career development as evidenced by the highly successful ECU Career Discovery Day and an ACT test preparation day for high school seniors.
“These successful partnerships link real-world business experiences to the higher education process,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “One of the key benefits from these partnerships is the results-driving solutions generated to resolve business problems.”