TSTC Hosts Industry Job Fair in Marshall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – About 150 Texas State Technical College students met potential employers from Texas and throughout the nation on Thursday at its semiannual Industry Job Fair on the Marshall campus.

Attendees talked to representatives from about 30 companies set up at tables in the South Building. Some of the companies were seeking students interested in jobs as diesel technicians, fleet management supervisors, industrial painters and powerplant operators.

Cheyenne Riordon, a regional recruiter for Equipment Depot in Irving, said it was the company’s first time at the Marshall event. She was interested in talking to Diesel Equipment Technology students about forklift mechanic positions. The materials handling and equipment rental company’s only East Texas location is in Longview.

“I just want to get our name out there,” Riordon said. 

TrinityRail, which is headquartered in Dallas and has locations in Hallsville and Longview, was interested in insulators, paint preparers and welders.

“The employees that come out of TSTC are ready to start their careers and are very moldable,” said Hunter Hembrough, a TrinityRail talent acquisition specialist. “They are ready to work.”

Students asked questions and clutched company brochures as they explored the event’s information tables.

Dakota Smith, a Welding Technology student from Gladewater, is scheduled to graduate in December from TSTC. She said she talked to as many employers as possible and liked what she heard.

“I’m keeping a clear head about it,” she said. “I will go wherever the job is as long as it is a good fit.”

Lucas Wilson, an Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization student from Mount Enterprise, attended his first campus Industry Job Fair. He said he was interested in internship opportunities but also wanted to see what East Texas companies are looking for.

“I am here to network and get my name out there,” Wilson said. “A lot of the companies are looking for industrial maintenance.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

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TSTC Welding Technology Graduates in Demand in East Texas

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology students are finding a need for their skills regionally and throughout the country.

The demand for brazers, cutters, solderers and welders is projected to increase up to 439,100 workers by 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency attributes this to replacing the country’s aging infrastructure, as well as the construction of new natural gas and oil pipelines and power generation facilities.

Many of TSTC’s Welding Technology graduates like to work near their hometowns, said Philip Miller, a TSTC Welding Technology instructor.

“As for being work-ready, we train them to work like they are already out in the workforce, showing up on time, being ready to start the day, having a good attitude. And we also inform them on the right and wrong for workplace conduct,” he said.

Smith Tank & Equipment Co. in Tyler hired one of TSTC’s summer Welding Technology graduates. James Blair III, the company’s president, said he likes TSTC’s students because they understand the hands-on skills and theory of welding.

“Getting good candidates for employment has been an ongoing challenge in some years more than others,” said Blair. “When the oil field is good, it is harder to get them. Everyone is busy.”

Blair said female welders can make a valuable contribution to the industry.  

“Women tend to be very good workers,” he said. “Women tend to focus a little more than the guys.”

Warfab Inc. in Hallsville and Longview hired a graduate of TSTC’s Welding Technology program earlier this year. The company specializes in forging-press work, heavy equipment, manufacturing and specialty welding services.

David Ocheltree, Warfab’s human resources manager, said the company looks for welders who have a combination of fabrication shop and field experience. He said while fabrication work is high quality, field work involves getting dirty and lifting heavy equipment.

“We take all forms of experience coming in here,” Ocheltree said. “We have some that come in with absolutely no experience whatsoever, to the person who has 20-plus years of welding. The person that comes in and wants to work at Warfab comes in as a cleaner or has a few tools, and we bring them in as a helper. They can work under an apprenticeship-type aspect.”

TSTC’s Marshall campus offers a Structural Welding certificate.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC drafting and design give students their blueprint to success

Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics graduates from Texas State Technical College are finding that the demand for their skills is increasing as highway, road and subdivision developments are growing across the state.

TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics statewide Department Chair Samuel Pizano said students are being recruited across the Rio Grande Valley and statewide, maintaining the programs already 98% job placement rate.TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics

“The projected trend for this industry shows an increase in demand over the next five years,” said Pizano. “In fact, I recently learned that a Texas bill was just passed to allow those with associate degrees to obtain a land surveying license, previously only offered to those with a bachelor’s degree.”

Below, Pizano goes on to explain the skills students in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics are learning and how these skills and the program’s technology is making them job-ready.

What is the length of the program?

The program offers an associate degree track that is five semesters or 20 months long.

What can a student expect when they graduate?

At the moment, students can test to receive a surveying technician certification, a certificate that is impressive to employers and gives students an advantage when applying for jobs.

What skills do students learn in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics?

Students in the program will gain skills in two-dimensional and three-dimensional designing for architecture, civil and mechanical industries, and Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). By the time a student graduates, he/she will be familiar and have experience in all three areas allowing them to choose the area that suits them best.

What types of technologies are used to learn these skills?

Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics students have access to five computer labs and a workshop equipped with high-end, industry-standard computers for design and rendering, industry-standard software such as AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit, three-dimensional printers, a water-jet cutter, HoloLens mixed reality and a drone for land surveying.  

How do these skills prepare a student for the workforce?

Program faculty and staff focus on real-world, hands-on training that emulate what students will see when they enter the workforce. The goal is to make our graduates’ transitions smooth because they are familiar with every aspect of the industry.

What types of positions can a graduate from this program obtain?

Graduates from this program can obtain positions as architectural and civil drafters, entry-level CAD technicians and designers, GIS technicians and surveying technicians. Local and statewide companies such as TEDSI Infrastructure Group, CASA Engineering Civil and Structural, Pape-Dawson Engineers and CONSOR Engineers hire TSTC grads.

New perspective: TSTC HVAC student pursuing a hot career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Eleazar Lumbrera started his journey at Texas State Technical College when he was in high school, but with doubts about his future, he decided not to attend college.

But now he’s back as a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) student and is expecting to earn his associate degree in Spring 2020.

“My mom has always pushed me to return to college, but I was stubborn,” said the Santa Rosa native. “I wanted to work and make money, but it was time to come back to school. I had put it off long enough.”

So with his family’s support, especially from his mother Martha Lumbrera, who works as a custodian at the college, the 24-year-old enrolled at TSTC.

Lumbrera said he has always had an interest in HVAC systems and processes and with a passion for  working with his hands, he felt this was the perfect fit.HVAC Technology student Eleazar Lumbrera

Prior to TSTC, Lumbrera worked part-time with Walmart and at Discount Tire as an assistant manager.

It was during this time that he said he grew as a person and as a leader.

“I was not the studious type. And after my first unsuccessful go around at TSTC I was nervous to return, but things had changed: I had grown up quite a bit,” said Lumbrera.

The HVAC student who now boasts a 3.1 grade-point average, said taking time to grow and realize his potential was the right choice for him because now he’s ready to study, focus on his classes and think about his future career.

In fact, his prior managerial experience has come in handy in the classroom as the program’s and campus’ Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) student ambassador, representing the student body in a plan that is set to get all of its students job-ready.

“My classroom and hands-on training at TSTC has been great, but what I do outside of the classroom is what has made my experience remarkable,” he said. “I never imagined that I would be considered a student leader or trusted with these types of responsibilities.”

Lumbrera also competed last year in SkillsUSA, in the HVAC category and placed second statewide and was awarded a silver medal.

SkillsUSA serves nearly 400,000 middle and high school and college students and is a partnership of teachers, college instructors and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce by giving students the opportunity to practice and improve on their skills through conferences and technical competitions.

“Because of what I am learning and doing at TSTC I feel confident in my skills,” said Lumbrera. “I feel like I’m accomplishing things in life and I’m more than prepared to enter the workforce.”

Before the end of the year, Lumbrera said he will begin his internship search for next semester so that he can continue to practice his skills before graduating.

And although the future is still unfolding, he said he has an open mind and feels grateful that he now has a path to follow.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of HVAC technicians is expected to grow 13% by 2028 and with commercial and residential building construction expected to increase and drive employment growth, job opportunities for students like Lumbrera are expected to be good.

HVAC Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Fort Bend County, North Texas, Waco and East Williamson County campuses.

For more information on HVAC Technology, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/HVACTechnology.

Machining student ahead of the curve at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With commencement only a few months away, Texas State Technical College student Gabriel Flores still can’t believe that he’ll become a college graduate at only 19-years-old.

The Precision Machining Technology student said college was always the only option in his home, but when got to his senior year in high school panic set in because he had no idea what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“I knew I had to go to college, there was no other choice. That rule came straight from my mom,” said the 19-year-old. “Only problem was I didn’t know what I wanted to do or study, but one high school teacher changed that for me.”

That high school teacher was Javier Martinez from Los Fresnos High School who taught Flores about machining, drafting and robotics.

It was also Martinez who recommended TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program to Flores.

“His class, his way of teaching is what sparked my interest in machining,” said Flores. “I was lost and Mr. Martinez helped me find my path.”Precision Machining Technology student Gabriel Flores

Currently, Flores is pursuing an associate degree in Precision Machining Technology and has found success at TSTC, boasting an almost perfect 3.8 grade-point average and a state SkillsUSA gold medal in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling, which also earned him a spot at the SkillsUSA national conference in Kentucky last year.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving nearly 400,000 middle school, high school and college students and industry professionals enrolled in training programs that include trade, technical, skilled service and health occupations.

“Never would I have imagined having opportunities like the ones I have found at TSTC,” said Flores. “I’m so grateful that my high school teacher led me in this direction because what I have been able to do is leading me to job readiness.”

From the program’s instructors to the hands-on training, Flores said his skills have improved ten-fold and he is confident with the knowledge under his belt.

“I don’t only recommend my program to others, but TSTC in general,” he said. “I feel like I grow every day because of the college’s caring instructors and the focus on real-world training. I’ve gained experience and have had access to opportunities, like SkillsUSA, where I get to showcase my skills. And this is the type of education that every student at TSTC has access to if they are open to it.”

Flores said he hopes his experiences reflects positively on his two younger brothers because as the oldest, and the first to graduate college, he wants them to see that a college education and degree are possible.

“A college education is important for broadening horizons and living a better life,” he said. “And I want my brothers to continue down this same path so that they too can have successful lives. Education is the key.”

Upon graduating in December, Flores plans to continue his education as an Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student to improve his drafting skills that go hand-in-hand with his machining skills.

“I never expected to be graduating from college at only 19,” said Flores. “I’m ahead of many of my friends who still need a couple of years to earn their degree, and it was all possible because of TSTC. I look forward to continuing my education as part of the TSTC community.”

Precision Machining Technology offers a Certificate 1 and Associate Degree of Applied Science. Graduates from the program can expect to work as CNC tool programmers and metal and plastic machinists and can find jobs in commercial and military aircraft, medical and telecommunications equipment, automotive tool and oil tool manufacturing.

The program is also offered at TSTC’s Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Waco and East Williamson County campuses.

For more information, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/PrecisionMachiningTechnology.

TSTC alum electrifies his career

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Jerry Nieto sold the business he co-owned and he wanted to travel the world, but a life surprise led him to Texas State Technical College. 

The Brownsville native graduated with an associate degree from TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program in Spring 2019, and since then has found success within his chosen field.

“We came out strong after selling the business and I wanted to travel with my wife and daughter, but suddenly there was a new baby on the way, and I knew I needed to find something that would help me support my family,” said Nieto.

After being a utility business owner for nearly a decade, Nieto said he had research to do on colleges and careers, but then TSTC came to mind.Electrical Power & Controls alum Jerry Nieto

“I remembered TSTC and recalled hearing that it had strong programs that led to career opportunities,” he said. “And it turned out to be my best decision ever.”

Nieto’s son was born in 2017, at the beginning of Nieto’s program, and said it was not easy being a full-time student and parent of two, but he said he focused on what the program could give him and his family, and kept that in mind the entire time.

“I could see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Nieto. “So while it was no easy feat, I knew that what I was doing was for all of us.”

From TSTC’s real-world, hands-on training on industry-standard equipment to assistance with job placement, Nieto said he knew he was on his way to a new, successful career.

In fact, he was part of the first TSTC Electrical Power and Controls class to attend the EATON Experience Center in Houston last year.

Students, like Nieto, who visited the EATON Experience Center had the opportunity to speak with EATON leaders and professionals, tour the facility and get hands-on experience within the company’s training center.

“This was the first time I was introduced to EATON and it really opened my eyes,” he said. “It’s great that TSTC gave us this type of opportunity, it was really above and beyond. And because of it, I now work for EATON with a competitive salary and excellent benefits.”

One week after Nieto visited the EATON Experience Center he interviewed with the company, which led to a job offer before even graduating from his program.

Nieto is now a master field service technician troubleshooting, testing and performing preventative maintenance on electrical equipment such as breakers, transformers and switch gears throughout the state.

“I can now provide for my family and have more time to spend with them,” said Nieto. “I am so content with where my life is going and none of it would have been possible without TSTC.”

Students in Electrical Power and Controls will learn skills in specializations such as electrical engineering and design, installation and calibration, robotics interfacing and electrical construction and can work as electrical and electronics engineering technicians, electrical repairers, electrical designers, substation electricians and testing and maintenance technicians.

And if a graduate does not find a job within six months of graduating from the program, their tuition can be reimbursed, thanks to the program’s money-back guarantee.

Electrical Power and Controls is also offered at TSTC’s Abilene, North Texas, Waco and East Williamson County campuses.

For more information, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/EletricalPowerControls.   

TSTC Hosts Industry Job Fair in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – More than 1,000 Texas State Technical College students met potential employers from Texas and throughout the nation on Thursday at its semiannual Industry Job Fair on the Waco campus.

Students lined up to register about a half hour before the 9 a.m. start of the event at the Murray Watson Jr. Student Recreation Center. Inside, students were treated to more than 100 companies looking to fill job, including those for aviation mechanics, electricians, materials handlers and plumbers.

Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc., which has locations throughout Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, has attended several of TSTC’s employment events. The company was looking for talented diesel technicians.

“We are building goodwill with the college and community,” said Seth McColley, Kirby-Smith Machinery’s vice president of human resources. “We want to make sure we have a good presence.”

Representatives of Niagara Bottling Co. visited to recruit electrical, mechatronics and robotics technology workers in anticipation of its $90 million bottling and distribution plant opening later this year in Temple.

Danny Weckstein, a company manufacturing technology manager based in Ohio, said he travels throughout the country to college recruitment events. He said students coming to work for the company bring a fresh perspective on how machines operate.

Some TSTC alumni returned to campus to recruit.

Zachary Rickard, a 2017 graduate of TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program, is an assistant superintendent at MW Builders in Pflugerville. He has traveled throughout Texas and Kansas to work on the company’s commercial projects. He said his job includes keeping up with work schedules, doing some hands-on work and keeping workers on task.

Rickard said it felt good being back on campus.

“TSTC has had a major impact for me in starting from nothing to what I’m doing now,” he said.

Kyle Brinkman, an electrical computer-aided design drafter at Black & Veatch in College Station, graduated in 2011 from TSTC’s Architectural Drafting and Design program. He said going to TSTC was the right fit for him because he wanted to save money and get a good education.

Brinkman’s goal was to tell attendees about the company’s work in consulting, construction engineering and procurement for the manufacturing, telecommunications, and oil and gas fields. 

Students asked questions, clutched company brochures and handed out resumes to business representatives.

MIranda Rodriguez, an Industrial Systems major from Robinson, said she enjoyed talking to company representatives. It was her first time attending TSTC’s Industry Job Fair.

“It is very encouraging that the stuff we learn today in our classes is what the companies need,” she said. “It’s a good feeling.”

Garrett Crawford, an Instrumentation Technology major from Troy, attended his third TSTC Industry Job Fair. 

“It’s a broad view of what is out there,” he said. “It’s opening my eyes.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Cyber Security Program Advises Caution When Upgrading Mobile Phones

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Consumers need to keep personal security in mind when transitioning to new mobile phones.

Amy Hertel, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Cyber Security program in Marshall, said people need to know that information on their mobile phones does not disappear. She advised people not to sell their old phones themselves because stored information can be easily interpreted by tech-savvy people.

“Until it is overwritten, it is there,” Hertel said. “If you hook it up to a computer and have the right software, you can pull that stuff right off.”

Some people will switch mobile service providers and keep their phone number when they buy new phones and stay in the same geographical area. This practice is known as porting, according to the Federal Communications Commission. 

The FCC recommends using personal pin numbers or passwords for mobile phone accounts to prevent people from “porting out” phone numbers. Scammers who get hold of a combination of phone numbers and personal information can intercept calls and get access to bank accounts, social media accounts, emails and other information accessed through mobile phones.

Hertel said the subscriber identity module (SIM) card can be moved from old to new phones. But, she said information is not actually stored on SIM cards because information is sent to a cloud-based system.

One of the most important things to do is keep up with mobile phone software updates, Hertel said.

“They do have security fixes tied into them,” she said. “The quicker you get an update, the safer you will be.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

Texas Workforce Commission Funds TSTC Training for Two Companies

(WACO, Texas) – Today the Texas Workforce Commission awarded a Skills Development Fund grant totaling $115,132 that was used for customized training provided by Texas State Technical College for two companies.

 The grant created industry-related training for 58 new and incumbent workers at Cargill, a Minneapolis-based company whose Waco plant processes cooked meats, and Eagle Systems Inc., which provides professional security services.

 Company representatives were invited to join TWC and TSTC officials for the check presentation ceremony held at the John B. Connally Technology Center on TSTC’s Waco campus.

 TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison opened the ceremony by commenting on the importance of keeping workers well trained to help local businesses and economies thrive.

 “The dollars that go into a project like this are reflected back in paychecks and resources that are invested into our community,” he said. “And it’s real people, earning a better living, who may then turn and contribute more meaningfully into our local economy and to the communities they serve.”

 Prior to signing the oversized presentation check, Bryan Daniel, the TWC chairman and commissioner representing the public, spoke about the importance of workforce training to employee retention.

 “So many companies have reached out to us and are taking advantage of the Skills Development program and working with both technical colleges and community colleges to create actual, real, customized programs,” Daniel said. “These are skills that the companies invest in because they want those employees to stay.”

 The training at Eagle Systems included training for its supervisors, who are located in different locations along the Interstate 35 corridor from Dallas to Austin.

 Sherri Springman, human resources manager for Eagle Systems, said the company had grappled with a solution to getting all of its supervisors together in one place for training.

 “This training was huge — just another piece of the puzzle for us to strengthen our team as a whole and just really connect those pieces and make us stronger all across the board,” she said.

 Officials from Cargill were unable to attend the presentation.

 For more information on TSTC Workforce Training, visit https://tstc.edu/workforce/home.

TSTC Environmental Class Provides Field Experience for Students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students pursuing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology Compliance are given many opportunities for hands-on experience. The Environmental Sampling and Analysis class is no exception. 

Fourth-semester students taking that class recently were given the opportunity to go outside the classroom and apply what they have learned by dividing into groups and testing drinking water at several campus locations. 

At each building they visited, students followed an assigned water sampling process: flush the water, retrieve the sample, “zero” (clear) the sample, add anre-agent chemical to activate chlorine, read the sample and record results. The results showed students the chlorine readings in each water sample. 

Environmental student Maxwell Vollan said this was his first time to go out and do water sampling himself.

“One of the biggest challenges we faced was trying to make sure that we had a nice, clean environment to get a representative sample,” Vollan said. 

Fellow student Pamela Jackson likes the program at TSTC because she is a hands-on learner, and the class allows her that opportunity. 

“I like going out there and doing stuff, rather than just watching somebody else doing it,” Jackson said. “I like to do it myself and get a feel for it.”

TSTC Environmental Technology state department chair Lester Bowers said even though the TSTC water system is monitored by the city, he wants the students to gain the hands-on experience while they are at TSTC.  

“If they go out and get a job as a field technician, this is what they will do,” Bowers said. “It is part of that job description, so I figured why not give them the technical aspect here, so when they go out there, they already know what they are doing.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, visit tstc.edu.