(MARSHALL) – Three Longview companies are utilizing Texas State Technical College for training employees in new technical skills.
Komatsu Mining Corp., Stemco and Westlake Chemical Corp. have scheduled training on-site and at TSTC’s Marshall campus in recent weeks.
“We are now approaching businesses to assist them in identifying training gaps and coming up with recommendations to close such gaps,” said Dirk D. Hughes, executive director of TSTC Workforce Training. “Then, and only then, will we talk to the company about how to fund the training through grants and/or cash.”
Thirteen employees at Stemco, which produces bearings, hubcaps, seals and other products for the heavy- and medium-duty trailer and truck industry, will take computer software classes at the end of March and a class in measurements and tools in April. The classes are conducted through a Texas Workforce Development grant.
“We looked at the company needs and worked with TSTC to see what courses they had available and would work best with our colleagues,” said Amanda Tarbet, a human resources business partner at Stemco.
About 140 Stemco employees have already completed five courses in leadership, manufacturing and other topics through TSTC in 2018 and 2019, Tarbet said. Tarbet credited Stemco’s plant manager William Leadaman as being instrumental in getting the training for employees.
“I think it is helping our colleagues to open their eyes on furthering their education as well,” Tarbet said. “We have a few colleagues that are actually registered with TSTC. We have a tuition reimbursement program.”
Four employees at Westlake Chemical recently took a three-day course in motor controls.
Eight Komatsu employees are taking two inventory management classes this month at the company.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
(SWEETWATER) – Winning is so nice, she did it twice. Now Kacee Merrifield wants it again, and so does one of her classmates.
Merrifield is a nursing student enrolled in the associate degree program at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater. She has competed at SkillsUSA two years in a row, winning state both times and placing nationally.
“It’s a very validating feeling when you get to test your skills against others in your industry, but it’s so much more than just winning a medal,” Merrifield said.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. In 2017 Merrifield placed first in state for Health Knowledge Bowl, continuing on to win fourth at nationals. In 2018 she won first in state for Nurse Assisting and sixth at nationals. She will compete in Practical Nursing this year.
“I love that SkillsUSA offers a platform to meet other professionals. You meet so many people and make friends and get to travel. I really enjoyed what Skills has done for me,” Merrifield said.
Hoping to win his second first-place title is fellow nursing student Corbin Calsoncin. Calsoncin and Merrifield both graduated from TSTC in Breckenridge with a certificate of completion in Vocational Nursing in 2018. Calsoncin is also currently enrolled in the nursing program at TSTC in Sweetwater.
“I was nervous my first couple times I competed, but I feel better now and am more prepared,” Calsoncin said.
Calsoncin placed second at state in Medical Math in 2017, but placed first in Math in 2018 and went on to place ninth at nationals. Calsoncin will compete in Medical Math again this year.
Not only do Merrifield and Calsoncin compete in SkillsUSA at the collegiate level, but they also judge the high school level.
“Judging is a chance for them to give back and share their experiences with others,” Marchelle Taylor, TSTC nursing instructor and West Texas SkillsUSA coordinator, said. “Skills allows them to interact with other students and industry around the state and nation.”
Merrifield and Calsoncin will compete at the SkillsUSA 2019 Leadership and Skills Conference on April 12-14 at TSTC in Waco.
Both students encourage anyone interested in nursing to visit TSTC and take advantage of the opportunities available with SkillsUSA.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, log on to tstc.edu.
TSTC in Sweetwater nursing students Corbin Calsoncin, left, and Kacee Merrifield, right, prepare to compete at SkillsUSA in April.
(WACO) – Jacob Johnson’s career is in the fast lane.
Johnson, 20, of Austin graduated in August from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cloud and Data Center Management. He is an associate systems engineer at Austin-based Accruent, a worldwide physical resources management and planning company.
“This is the start of a great career and life for me,” Johnson said. “Besides, I genuinely find my job fun. I leave work and I go home and study AWS (Amazon Web Services), which I also find super enjoyable. I would not be this motivated if I did not enjoy what I was doing.”
Johnson’s job involves using the company’s ticketing system to ensure that software websites and servers are functional.
“I also do a fair amount of troubleshooting of our websites when customers find issues that our support team cannot figure out,” he said.
Johnson said what he learned at TSTC has been beneficial to his job.
“The thing I am most knowledgeable about is cloud providers,” Johnson said. “What my work gives me is the ability to expand my knowledge greatly on the actual server side of technology. I just love learning more about it.”
Rus Teston, an instructor in TSTC’s Cloud and Data Center Management program, said he could see early on how eager Johnson was to learn.
“During the AWS Solutions Architect course, it was apparent to everyone when things aligned for Jacob and his torch of knowledge was lit,” Teston said. “Even after graduation while looking for employment, Jacob continued to pursue knowledge, and AWS certificate after certificate were quickly claimed as his own.”
Workers will be needed to fill an increase in information technology positions predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency has estimated more than 24,000 network and computer systems administrators and 10,500 more computer network architects will be needed by 2026.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
Texas
State Technical College in Fort Bend County invites all prospective students,
community leaders and neighbors to its annual Open House.
The open house will be Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. at TSTC’s Brazos Center located at 26706 Southwest Freeway in Rosenberg.
“This is an opportunity for us to showcase our campus and
the type of technical education TSTC is providing to the local community and
the state,” said TSTC student recruitment coordinator Yulonda Durst. “Events
like this are eye-openers and give people a better understanding of who we are
and what we provide.”
TSTC in Fort Bend County is one of 10 campuses throughout
the state. It offers certificates and associate degrees in programs such as
Cyber Security, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker Technology
and Welding Technology.
“We offer degrees in two years or less that can lead to
great-paying jobs,” said Durst. “We’re focused on providing the skills needed
for successful careers and on providing the state with a quality workforce.”
According to research conducted by the National Skills
Coalition, 53 percent of all jobs are at the middle-skill level, but only 43
percent of the United States workforce is trained for this type of work.
Closing this skills gap and building a stronger economy is
what Texas State Technical College has set out to do.
The National Skills Coalition reports that the majority of
middle-skill job opportunities require education and training beyond high
school, but not a four-year degree.
Durst said that during Open House those in attendance can
learn firsthand about the training opportunities TSTC has to offer.
Programs will offer hands-on activities and demonstrations
to give attendees the TSTC experience.
“We offer a wide variety of programs that have an in-demand
workforce,” said Durst. “And so we hope that many will find TSTC a good fit for
them.”
During the open house, TSTC will also offer 30-minute
sessions on financial aid, college admissions and the “411 on TSTC.”
Campus tours and lunch will also be available. And every
student who applies to TSTC during the Open House will be entered to win a TSTC
scholarship for tuition, books and supplies.
“We want to encourage everyone who’s interested or curious
about TSTC to stop by,” said Durst. “This is going to be a one-stop shop to get
everything needed for registration ready. This could be the start to someone’s
successful future.”
Registration for the TSTC Open House is online at https://bit.ly/FtBendOH19. Save the QR code to
save time on the day of the event.
For more information on TSTC in Fort Bend County and the
programs it offers, visit tstc.edu.
(BRECKENRIDGE) – Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Walker Sayle Unit, a substance abuse felony punishment facility, are working together to change lives and fill a need in the Texas workforce.
A report filed by the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services to the 86th Legislature showed that 1.6 million adult Texans suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD). Furthermore, Texas has only about 17 SUD care providers per 1,000 of these adults, the third lowest in the nation.
To help combat this crisis, students enrolled in TSTC’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program can work as interns and later be considered for employment at the Sayle Unit.
“It’s hard to find staff in this industry because you have to have a passion for it and it’s a lot of work,” Kemberlee Lively, program director at the Sayle Unit, said. “About 90 percent of our staff comes from TSTC because they have a hands-on knowledge base and are open to our input. These students come here and do exactly what we need them to do.”
The TSTC Chemical Dependency Counseling program allows students to earn a certificate of completion or an Associate of Applied Science degree to become licensed chemical dependency counselor interns. This provides a career pathway to become licensed chemical dependency counselors.
“There is an opportunity to help those individuals who this may be their last chance for recovery,” Patty Bundick, TSTC Chemical Dependency Counseling program chair and senior instructor, said. “Many students are people in recovery or have a family member who suffered from an addiction and see it as a chance to give back to society and now want to help someone else in their recovery.”
For Sayle Unit Assistant Program Director Shana Vandergriff, TSTC offered her the chance for a career and to help others.
“I recommend TSTC, for sure, because I went there. I know what the students are learning, and TSTC helped me,” Vandergriff said. “(TSTC) made it easy for me as a single mom … in recovery to get enrolled. They still are like my family to this day when I go visit,” Vandergriff said.
Vandergriff graduated in 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. She did her practicum as a student at the Sayle Unit.
Vandergriff encourages anyone who feels a calling and enjoys helping others succeed to consider the field.
“There is a huge need for people in this industry, and we are almost always hiring,” she said.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, log on to tstc.edu.
TSTC in Breckenridge Chemical Dependency Counseling students work with Walker Sayle to combat substance abuse.
Esperanza Velazquez is
an Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student at Texas State
Technical College.
The San Benito native
boasts a 3.75 grade-point average and expects to graduate with an associate
degree in Spring 2020.
The 21-year-old is also
active on campus as a work-study employee for Student Life and Engagement and
the Student Government Association representative for her program.
What are your plans
after graduation?
After I graduate I plan
on returning to TSTC to pursue a second associate degree in Engineering, and
then transferring to a four-year university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in
both engineering and communications.
What’s your dream job?
My dream job is to
become an engineer and help cities and towns with underdeveloped housing
improve this issue so families have a nice place to call home.
What has been your
greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?
My greatest
accomplishment while at TSTC has been receiving my work-study position with
Student Life. This job has taught me so much about leadership and
communication, and has given me other opportunities as a student I may not have
otherwise received.
What greatest lesson
have you learned about yourself or life?
The greatest lessons I
have learned is to listen to all sides of a discussion or debate and always
think before speaking.
Who at TSTC has had the
most influence on your success?
The person at TSTC who
has influenced my success the most is Student Life and Engagement Coordinator
and my supervisor Belinda Palomino. She has shown me how to never give up and
to always believe in myself and my dreams. She is proof that as long as you
work hard, success is possible.
What is your advice for
future TSTC students?
My advice for future
TSTC students is to really invest in improving time management skills, this is
crucial to surviving college courses and juggling the workload.
Vilze Gamboa didn’t
think college was in the books for him, but nearly eight years later he
graduated from the Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Texas State
Technical College in Harlingen making him the first in his family to graduate
from college.
After graduating from
Harlingen High School in 2011, the Harlingen native immediately enlisted in the
U.S. Army.
“I was not the best in
high school. I never shined,” said Gamboa. “I didn’t have motivation to go to
college, I was undecided.”
The 26-year-old enlisted
in the Army and served nearly four years with a deployment to Afghanistan for
nine months before returning home.
“The army was the best
decision for me at the time,” he said. “I got to see the world and have
experiences I never would have had otherwise.”
But upon returning home,
Gamboa felt like something was missing and that something was a college degree.
“I had educational
benefits from the army available to me,” he said. “So I enrolled at TSTC, never
planning on earning a degree, but that instantly changed.”
Gamboa used his
Hazlewood Act and G.I. Bill to pay for his education when he initially enrolled
to take a few classes.
But with time spent at
TSTC, the more he learned about the college, its programs and most importantly
Biomedical Equipment Technology.
“I like the medical
field, but being behind the scenes and repairing the technology used in the
industry was more my fit,” he said. “So when I was introduced to the program
there was no hesitation, I enrolled immediately.”
Today, Gamboa holds an
associate degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology and works as a Biomedical
Technician I at Baylor Scott and White Health in Temple, Texas.
He received his job offer
before even graduating from his program. Today he is responsible for the repair
and maintenance of operating room equipment such as surgical tables, lights,
scopes, blood pressure monitors and IV pumps.
“As a student in
Biomedical Technology you are immediately introduced to industry-standard
equipment,” said Gamboa. “We train with this equipment every day, hands-on, so
by the time we start applying for internships and jobs we are more than
prepared to handle the everyday challenges of a biomedical technician.”
Gamboa, who is also a
father of two, said he can now support his family and give them everything they
need because of the great pay and benefits package he receives at Baylor Scott
and White Health.
“Knowing I had this job
prior to graduating, made the success of it all that much sweeter. Not too bad
for a two-year degree if I say so myself,” he said. “I was relieved knowing
that I could now start supporting my family. And even more important, TSTC
opened me up to the possibilities of continuing education. It showed me how to
like school.”
Gamboa hopes to continue
setting a good example for his children by continuing his education.
In the near future,
Gamboa hopes to attend a four-year university, while working fulltime, to earn
a bachelor’s degree in Business so he can pursue management opportunities.
“TSTC truly changed my
life and I recommend it to everyone I encounter looking for a new opportunity
or career change,” he said.
In fact, even Gamboa’s
brother is now pursuing an associate degree in Biomedical Technology from TSTC.
“I want my kids to
realize that anything is possible,” said Gamboa. “They are only four and five,
but I’m already having conversations with them about college, because I don’t
want them to wait like I did and because of TSTC I’ve been able to set that
example.”
Biomedical Equipment
Technology is also offered at TSTC’s campus in Waco.
For more information on
the program, visit tstc.edu.
With Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education a focus in K-12 and
institutions of higher education, Texas State Technical College Mechatronics
Technology students are stepping up and doing their part to encourage middle
schooler’s interest in STEM-related fields.
Recently, Mechatronics
Technology Club officers and students volunteered with the Harlingen
Consolidated Independent School District STEM2 Preparatory Academy as judges
and mentors for the school’s “First Tech Challenge” competition.
“It’s great that these
students have already taken an active approach in STEM education,” said TSTC
Mechatronics Technology student and club president Flavio Tello. “And it’s our
duty as college students pursuing a STEM career to encourage and motivate
them.”
A number of middle
school students from across the Rio Grande Valley gathered at STEM2 Preparatory
Academy for the competition. The contest consisted of robotic matches with
robots the students built and programmed themselves.
“We know all too well
the pressure a competition like this can bring,” said Tello. “So we are glad
that we were able to give these students advice and share our own experiences.”
The Mechatronics
Technology students, who have competed in competitions such as SkillsUSA in the
past, made recommendations and suggestions to the students on how to improve
their robots’ programming and competition times.
“It’s great being a part
of this. I wish this is something I had when I was in school,” said Tello.
“Times are changing and training is improving, which is why I hope these
students take advantage of everything offered to them, and I hope that what we
share with them encourages successful careers.”
STEM2 Preparatory
Academy Counselor Brenda Duarte said she was pleased with the learning
experience TSTC’s mechatronics students provided for her students.
“This visit went very
well. We’re so appreciative that these TSTC students took the time to come out
and help,” said Duarte. “The exchange of ideas and knowledge between everyone
was great.”
Duarte added that there
was a lot of discussion about higher education, robotic design, advances in
technology, programming and coding.
She said she hopes the
partnership between her campus and TSTC’s mechatronics program continues to grow
because these students have had a large impact on her student’s interest in
STEM education.
Tello and many of his
peers will be graduating this semester, but said they are working diligently at
getting other club members up to speed about the partnership so STEM2
Preparatory Academy students can continue to get mentored.
“STEM is here and is the
future,” said Tello. “We need to work to keep these young students interested
in STEM and it starts by letting them know they’re not alone.”
Since the competition,
Tello and his classmates have returned to speak to classes at the STEM academy
and to share their SkillsUSA robotic prototype.
For more information on
Mechatronics Technology, visit tstc.edu.
(WACO) – Julian Rodriguez’s future in the solar industry looks to be as bright as the sun shining on the panels generating energy in Texas.
Rodriguez, 18, of McCamey in Upton County, is in his second semester at Texas State Technical College, studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology and certificates in Energy Efficiency Specialist and Electrical Construction. The combination is referred to at TSTC as the Triple Crown.
Rodriguez chose to study the alternative energy because of what is going on in and around his hometown. Upton County is home to the Alamo 6 and Pearl solar farms, both built by OCI Solar Power, and Solar 2, which is owned by Vistra Energy. In neighboring Pecos County, California-based 174 Power Global broke ground in January 2018 on the 1,500-acre Midway Solar project. The projects are bringing extra workers to Upton County, which has more than 3,600 residents.
“It’s a lot of unfamiliar faces, which is cool,” Rodriguez said. “It’s interesting to see. It’s opened up a lot of possibilities for me.”
The solar industry includes more than 13,000 employees in the state, according to the Texas Solar Power Association.
“I would hope job seekers would view us as a growing industry making a positive impact in Texas,” said Charlie Hemmeline, executive director of the Texas Solar Power Association in Austin. “I’ve certainly heard that message from job seekers, including from mid-career professionals looking to transition to solar and leverage their existing energy industry expertise.”
Texas is ranked sixth in the country in solar energy consumption, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s December 2018 Solar Spotlight – Texas. About 282,000 Texas homes are powered by solar, according to the SEIA.
There are more than 650 solar companies in the state, a majority of them specializing in installation and manufacturing, according to the SEIA.
Ignacio Guajardo, co-owner of Peg Energy in Corpus Christi, Laredo and San Antonio, said the company recruits employees for their skills and then trains them.
“There are electricians and structural engineers and a lot of different people that know of certain areas of solar, but not totally solar,” he said. “It’s definitely a challenge when you are looking for installers or technicians or designers. It’s not all that easy.”
Guajardo said some customers had to know others who have solar to understand how panels are installed and function. He predicted the company could generate growth in the next few years, expanding beyond South Texas.
“People are becoming more aware of the technology,” Guajardo said. “As technology keeps improving, we see more people going solar.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the number of solar photovoltaic installers will rise to more than 23,100 jobs nationwide by 2026.
Elliott Graham, 20, of Mansfield is a second-semester TSTC Triple Crown student. He said his parents encouraged him to pursue the associate degree and certificates.
“I enjoy just being outside,” Graham said. “I’d rather be outside than at a desk job. It’s something different every day.”
He said he has prepared for classwork by going to a gym to improve his fitness and learning the mathematics behind solar energy. Graham said it is important to calculate precise roof dimensions before determining how many panels will be needed.
“You want to save as much time as possible for the customer,” he said.
TSTC’s Solar Energy Technology program has at least 35 students this semester, with many studying for the associate degree and two certificates. Graduates tend to work in parts of Texas with locally offered solar incentives and rebates.
“It gets them into good-paying jobs quicker,” said Hugh Whitted, a TSTC Solar Energy Technology instructor. “It makes them more marketable.”
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
For students at Texas State Technical College, it was a way to give back to the community.
Members of TSTC’s SkillsUSA TeamWorks team volunteered Thursday and Friday to do renovation work at the Word of Faith Ministry in Temple. The students — Belton residents Antonio Hernandez and Andres Zapata, Jacob Dawson of Mansfield and Leonardo Mata of Fort Worth — removed tile, closed in an office wall, opened a portion of another wall and installed French doors.
“This is truly a blessing because I like to see young men at their ages have a drive and something to support,” said Larry Watkins, the church’s pastor.
The work gave the students an opportunity to see how compatible they are away from TSTC, where they practice weekly.
“It’s been pretty good,” said Mata. “Hanging out with them is good. I hope this experience helps us out.”
Dawson said he worked throughout high school individually in SkillsUSA contests, but since joining the construction team he has learned how to trust his teammates’ skills.
“It’s nice to do something different,” he said.
Watkins first met Zapata when he worked at Home Depot and was attending Belton High School. Zapata’s first project for the church was building a podium stage when he was a junior.
The TeamWorks group will have a simulated building scrimmage on Friday, March 29, at the Ben Barber Innovation Academy in Mansfield.
SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help college and high school students pursue successful careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
