Texas Hydraulics Inc. has partnered with Temple College to provide training for 400 workers using a $399,254 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

The grant will be used to create or upgrade such positions as machinists, maintenance workers and mechanical engineers. Upon completion of training, workers will receive an average hourly wage of $15.

“In the grand scheme of things, this is a very big day for us,” said Texas Hydraulics president Michael Clute. “Right now, we’re focused on competing in the global market, and this grant will no doubt help us out in that respect.”

Clute said a majority of the workers at the company live in the Temple area and contribute directly to the Bell County economy.

“This is going to help transform our workforce. We’re going to have highly trained, highly skilled employees,” he said. “This is a good investment for everyone, not just Texas Hydraulics.”

Temple Mayor Bill Jones III, Clute, and TC president Dr. Glenda Barron, among others, spoke during an announcement that took place Thursday morning in front of Texas Hydraulics, 3410 Range Road.

“For me, this is the perfect example of the TWC, Temple College and a private company working together in a partnership that is going to help improve the community,” Dr. Barron said.

“With economic conditions the way they are around the country right now, it’s all the more important to have a highly skilled work force,” she said. “In the long run, this is going to help out the community tremendously.”

Texas Hydraulics specializes in making hydraulic cylinder parts, as well as other components, often used in construction equipment.

“Our Skills Development Fund grants serve everyone well,” Ronny Congleton, TWC commissioner representing labor, said in a press release. “Workers get the specialized training they need, and the community benefits from a more highly skilled workforce.”