New partnerships with UNT Health Fort Worth and CLC, Inc. remove barriers while filling need for skilled workers
Fort Worth, Texas - A new set of workforce training pilots from Center for Transforming Lives is creating fast, practical pathways into high-demand careers for single mothers in Tarrant County. Launched in partnership with UNT Health Fort Worth and CLC, Inc., the programs combine short-term certification with free childcare, transportation access and volunteer tutors. The initiative is designed to help participants quickly secure employment earning approximately $45,000 annually, with the potential to grow into long-term careers.
“Without childcare or reliable transportation, it’s nearly impossible for a single mother to get the credentials she needs to build a secure career,” said Carol Klocek, CEO of Center for Transforming Lives. “By working with community partners like UNT Health and CLC, Inc., we’re able to create a path to a living wage, while also helping meet the need for trained workers in Tarrant County.”
Two initial pilot programs are already underway. A 12-week pharmacy technician certification program, developed with UNT Health Fort Worth, enrolled 20 participants from a pool of more than 60 applicants. A second program, a two-week logistics certification course created with CLC, Inc., launched its first cohort this month.
Addressing Critical Workforce Needs
The pharmacy technician program responds to a pressing workforce shortage in North Texas. According to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Texas leads the nation in pharmacy technician job postings, underscoring the urgency of expanding training pipelines.
“There is absolutely no way to meet current demand without creating more pharmacy technicians,” said John McKenzie, executive director of the Division of Academic Innovation at UNT Health. “This is a career where there’s a job waiting for you after just a few weeks of training.”
Graduates can enter the workforce immediately or continue advancing into higher-paying healthcare careers.
The logistics certification program addresses a similar gap in one of the nation's largest logistics hubs. According to CBRE Labor Analytics, the logistics labor pool in Dallas-Fort Worth is projected to grow 15% by 2034, increasing the demand for trained workers in warehousing, distribution and supply chain operations.
“DFW is the hub of logistics, so the chances of our graduates finding employment are excellent,” said Cory Lane, field operations director at CLC, Inc.
The two-week program includes Certified Logistics Associate coursework and forklift certification, providing participants with an immediate entry point into a growing field.
The Wraparound Support Advantage
What distinguishes these pilots is not only their speed, but their comprehensive support model. Through Center for Transforming Lives, participants have access to free drop-in childcare, computers, quiet study space and a location accessible by public transit. Programs are also designed to be low- or no-cost, removing financial barriers to participation.
“The partnership is almost magical,” McKenzie said. “They’re solving learner support needs like childcare and access to technology, and we’re providing the education. Together, we’re creating a pathway to a new career.”
Expanding a Proven Model
The workforce pilots are the foundation of a broader vision: the creation of a Workforce Development Institute at Center for Transforming Lives. Expected to launch within the next 18 months, the institute will expand training opportunities across healthcare and skilled trades while maintaining a strong focus on wraparound support services. As the initiative grows, the organization is inviting donors, volunteers and community partners to help scale what leaders believe is a replicable model for workforce development.
About Center for Transforming Lives
Center for Transforming Lives partners with single mothers and their children so they can thrive. Founded in 1907, Center for Transforming Lives is one of Tarrant County’s biggest family safety nets, working to disrupt cycles of poverty and homelessness among the most vulnerable in our community. The nonprofit meets the needs of more than 3,000 women and children annually, through a comprehensive and evidence-based, two-generation and trauma-informed model. Thanks to housing support, early childhood education, economic mobility services and counseling services that work across generations, parents and children establish security and well-being as a family. Led by CEO Carol Klocek since 2009, the $24 million nonprofit opened its new Riverside Campus headquarters in 2025.
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Media Contact
Trish Rodriguez
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trodriguez@transforminglives.org
817-996-7330
Categories: News
Center for Transforming Lives partners with single mothers and their children so they can thrive. Our services are two-generational and establish long-term financial and emotional well-being.
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