Westside Education & Training Center

Medical Assisting 

Medical Assistants are vital contributors in doctor offices, hospitals, and clinics. They take vital signs, perform tests and diagnostic procedures, administer medications, and assist doctors and nurses with patient examinations. Aside from clinical experience, qualified Medical Assistants may function in managerial capacities including hiring and evaluation. Medical assistants ensure that the operations within a medical office run smoothly. They are responsible for various administrative duties such as answering phones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and updating and filling out patient insurance forms. They also perform clinical duties such as collecting medical histories, preparing patients for their exams, drawing blood, wound care, and assisting the physician or healthcare provider during exams. Additionally, as a medical assistant, you will have a platform to further your education in the future and transition to other healthcare areas, including LVN, RN, Physician Assistant, or eventually a Nurse Practitioner. Medical Assistants can sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam.

IT/CompTIA

CompTIA is a non-profit organization, developing vendor-agnostic IT certifications for IT Professionals. These certifications encompass a vast array of IT competencies and are universally acknowledged by employers. The objective of CompTIA is to build and advocate norms for the IT sector while bolstering the careers of IT professionals. Enrolling in a CompTIA course can be a fantastic investment for your IT career. By gaining ITF+, A+, Security+, or Network+ certifications, you can demonstrate a high level of proficiency and knowledge in the IT field, which can significantly boost your employability and income. Further certifications for career IT Professionals can also be gained through CompTIA to better enhance your capabilities. ITF+ certification validates your fundamental IT knowledge and skills, while A+ confirms computer hardware and software understanding and troubleshooting skills. Security+ certification demonstrates your ability to secure and protect networks, systems, and devices, and Network+ certification ensures that you have the essential skills and knowledge to design, configure, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. Earning these certifications can enhance your visibility in a highly competitive job market and unlock fresh avenues for career progress in the field of IT. Moreover, they can equip you with the self-assurance and authenticity needed to excel in your present role and overcome complex IT obstacles effortlessly.”

WETC Dates/Times

Tues – 1-4pm
Thurs – 1-4pm

TSI Testing

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA, or TSI) is designed to help a college or university determine if a student is ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Scores are used for placement purposes. Incoming college students in Texas are required to take the TSI Assessment. Based on performance on the exam, a student may be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve one’s skills and preparation for success in college-level courses. There are 20-25 items per each of two sections, which produces a numeric scale score ranging from 310 to 390. These cutoff scores are approved by the Texas Coordinating Board for college readiness: Math 350, Reading 351, placement score of at least 340 and an essay score of at least a 4, or a placement score of less than 340, and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least 4 and an essay score of at least 5.
Not all incoming students need to take the TSI Assessment. There are many ways you can be exempt, including scoring a 23 or higher on the ACT composite and a minimum of 19 on both the English and math tests, earning an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) minimum score of 480 and Mathematics minimum score of 530 (no combined score needed), earnings a TAKS scale score of at least 2200 on the math section and/or 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3, transferring from another institution having satisfactorily completed college-level coursework, enrolling in a certificate program of one year or less (Level One certificates) at a public institution, or veterans, active duty personnel, and students who are serving as and, for at least 3 years preceding enrollment, have served as a member of a reserve component of the U.S. armed services.

CASAS Testing

The Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) is the most widely used system in the U.S. for assessing adult basic reading, mathematics, listening, writing, and speaking skills. It is designed to assess the relevant real-world basic skills of adult learners. The CASAS exam is FREE and helps assess a person's skill level and aptitude in math and reading as applied in the classroom or workforce. The CASAS exam is comprised of three subtests: Reading (40 questions), Mathematics (40 questions), and Writing (43), for a total of 123 questions in total. The test will take approximately 4.5 hours to complete. In order to pass the CASAS exam, you must pass all three subtests. You must earn a score of 220 out of 300 on each exam.

CASAS ESL Testing

CASAS also has a test for English proficiency, measuring reading, listening, writing, and speaking from beginning literacy through advanced adult secondary levels. The CASAS ESL test measures the basic skills and the English language and literacy skills needed to function effectively at work and in life. There are eight CASAS competencies which are embedded in the CASAS tests for English learners: Basic Communication, Community Resources, Consumer Economics, Health/Employment, Government and Law, Math, Learning and Thinking Skills, and Independent Living.
Pearson VUE / Industry Certifications – Pearson VUE is an established and reliable international testing company that allows individuals to take tests related to a variety of different professions, such as medical certifications or teacher certifications. The tests offered are trusted around the world due to their rigorous standards, leading to accurate and reliable results. Alamo Colleges offers testing in a variety of areas, including CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+), Adobe, Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon AWS, etc. The Alamo Colleges’ goal is that if you train here, you can also test here.

WETC, located in Westside San Antonio, in the heart of the Edgewood community, opened in 2006 to improve the education and skill levels of students and community residents served by bridging the gap between education and high-skill, high-wage jobs through the alignment of education and workforce development efforts to ensure students and residents with opportunities to acquire the advanced education and skills necessary to be competitive in the workforce and to support the region’s targeted driver industries and the availability of trained and ready workforce.

WETC and Lincoln Elementary Share a Common Mission

In 1959, the older WETC building (at the same location) was home to Lincoln Elementary, where both Black and Hispanic children went to school.

Just five years before the school opened, San Antonio was one of the first major cities in 1954 to desegregate its schools following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Many African Americans moved near and around WETC since Kelly Air Force Base/Duncan Army Airfield offered the opportunity of employment as mechanics and as part of the aircraft maintenance crews. At Lincoln Elementary, Elizabeth T. Wrenn became the school’s first principal. Before that, she was a teacher at the George Washington Carver School for African American children. Wrenn was also Edgewood’s first Black teacher. In 1968, the Edgewood Independent School District named their junior high after her, which is still open today. The new WETC building will continue Wrenn’s legacy of educating students from diverse backgrounds. WETC Advisory Board Member and social justice advocate Manuel Garza says students who attended WETC affectionately turn the WETC acronym into ‘We Empower The Community’.

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