(HARLINGEN) – Saul Pena recently graduated with two associate degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen and is now working as aircraft maintenance mechanic with Hunt Pan Am Aviation in Brownsville.

Pena is only one of the many students who find employment before or immediately after graduating. TSTC statewide holds a 94 percent job placement rate.

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College and Valley Regional Medical Center have recently formed a partnership to provide workforce training and development to more than 100 employees at the hospital.

And, to ensure that every employees receives the customized training needed for advancement and success, the Texas Workforce Commission and Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, recently presented both organizations with a Skills Development Fund Grant in the amount of $202,162.

“We are all so happy to see this partnership come to fruition,” said TSTC Provost Cledia Hernandez. “This is a great opportunity for Brownsville and South Texas. This will support the skills advancement here in our region.”

The training provided by TSTC Workforce Development and Continuing Education, which began a couple of months ago, is customized for 153 workers and focuses on health care, social assistance and facility maintenance.

Trainees from Valley Regional Medical Center include certified nurse assistants, registered nurses, therapists, social workers, surgical technicians and facility workers and maintenance technicians, among a few other technical positions.

Frank Acevedo, Valley Regional Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer, said this partnership has been exceptional for the hospital and its employees.

“Without TSTC and the help of Richard Mesquias I don’t think this grant or training would have been possible,” said Acevedo. “This training has enhanced patient care and has given our employees a deeper competency to do their jobs.”

Mesquias formerly worked for TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education, but was recently promoted to Senior Field Development Officer for The TSTC Foundation.

Acevedo added that he has received positive responses from his employees regarding this training because of the experienced instructors and class flexibility to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity of attending training despite work schedules.

TSTC Board of Regent and Pharr City Manager Alex Meade, called the presentation of this check an important day for Brownsville and the workforce industry in the Rio Grande Valley.

“When we recruit businesses to the Valley it’s important to already have the type of workforce they need. There’s no time to wait,” he said. “And TSTC makes this possible. Its grants like these that continue to attract businesses and build our skilled workforce. And it’s exciting to be a part of that.”

TSTC, a leader in technical education, offers more than 60 technical programs of study in addition to workforce training and continuing education.

Because of its legislative mission, the college has focused its resources and efforts on technical education and emerging technology, and filling the skills-gap that exists statewide.

Workforce Solutions Cameron Executive Director Pat Hobbs said this training is further proof of the value of a technical education. .

“It’s been believed that if you didn’t receive a four-year degree you were a failure in life,” he said. “But this isn’t true. The majority of the jobs out there are technical in nature and do not require a four-year degree.”

He went on to add that with large companies coming into the region, having a technically trained and skilled workforce is now more important than ever.

“The partnerships between TSTC and industries in South Texas and statewide help promote our area,” he said. “And you can expect us to continue working closely with the college in providing the workforce we need. We’ll be back with more Skills Development Fund Grants across the whole region.”

TSTC will be awarded two Skills Development Fund Grants next week in partnership with the Harlingen Consortium and High Demand Job Training.

For more information on the services offered by TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education, visit tstc.edu/workforce/home.

(HARLINGEN) – Ten-year-old Cassidy Martinez watched the effects of erosion with amazement during the “Explore Science: Earth and Space” event recently hosted at Texas State Technical College.

The event, organized by TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center, was popular among families in the community for children in kindergarten to sixth grade, with a turnout of more than 100 people.

Students like Martinez, a fifth grader from Ed Downs Elementary School in San Benito, were exposed to different hands-on activities such as erosion, sublimation bubbles, reaction rockets, rover building, three-dimensional (3D) pens and kinetic energy.

TSTC’s planetarium and arts and crafts was also integrated into the experience.

“The erosion station was my favorite part. Learning how things work is what I love,” said Martinez. “Science is my favorite subject in school, so this has been the best field trip. I hope to be a doctor someday so I want to learn all the science I can.”

Ashley Contreras, TSTC Center for Math and Science Education project coordinator, said these types of events are important to increase interest and enthusiasm in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

“There is a huge push for STEM right now,” said Contreras. “And we’re working with our local schools and families to expose children to STEM as early as possible.”

Contreras said she loves to see the students get creative with each activity and seeing their eyes light up. .

“It’s great to see these children excited over math and science and discovering how it applies to everything around us,” she said. “Our goal is to keep them engaged and interested as they get older, especially the girls.”

Contreras said STEM education and careers tend to be male-dominated, and hosting events like “Explore Science” can help encourage girls and allow them to realize that there is support and guidance for females in the field.

“There is a place for women in the STEM fields and I hope young girls realize this early on,” she said. “They can find that support to pursue STEM careers right here at TSTC with our technical programs and two-year degrees. They don’t have to go far from home.”

“Explore Science: Earth and Space” is a result of a signed NASA Cooperative Agreement that was introduced to the TSTC Challenger Learning Center by the National Challenger Center.

Through this agreement, TSTC’s center has received upgraded hardware and software to add new missions to its Challenger mission line up.

The event was also made possible through a grant awarded to the center from the National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network, a community comprised of informal educators and scientists dedicated to supporting learning about STEM across the United States, provided all of the supplies necessary for the hands-on activities.

“Everything we do is a team effort,” said Contreras. “Nothing would be possible without the support of these organizations, my team and the support we receive from the TSTC administration.”

TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center expects to roll out its newest Mars mission in Fall 2019 and Contreras said every mission and the services offered at the center align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, state curriculum standards set forth for public schools K-12.

“We look forward to hosting more community events in the future,” said Contreras. “And we’re excited for our new missions and to continue enriching STEM learning and making it fun for every student.”

For more information on the Challenger Learning Center and the services offered, call 956-364-4517.