Category Archives: Waco

TSTC Electrical Construction Program Launches Graduates Into Work

(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction program have an array of opportunities for work after graduation.

TSTC offers an Electrical Construction certificate at the Waco campus. Students learn about basic electrical theory, electrical codes, safety regulations, wiring and other topics.

“As your (TSTC’s) students are concerned, what gives them a jump is they have their OSHA training, their first aid and CPR training,” said Craig Miller, business manager for Local 72 of the  International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Waco. “They are familiar with the electrical code. We just build on that and run with that from there.”

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation governs licensing for electricians. Under the agency, TSTC’s Electrical Construction students can get an apprenticeship card while in the program. When students graduating from the program earn 800 on-the-job hours, they can take the journeyman’s license test. After 4,000 additional on-the-job hours, graduates can take the master’s license test.

“We have quite a few of your graduates that are in our training program now that have completed the program,” Miller said. “You can start at 19, 20 years old and go until you are 62. We are looking for lifers.”

Hugh Whitted, chair of TSTC’s Electrical Construction program, said a lot of students entering the program already have some electrical knowledge, either through high school classes or military experience.

Whitted said Electrical Construction graduates can pursue union or nonunion work. Job opportunities can provide work throughout Texas, out of state or in another country.

“There is always a need for women and minorities in the field,” he said. “There is no physical reason why anyone could not be successful in this field.”

The Waco Independent School District employs its own electricians. Kevin Hafer, the district’s coordinator of facilities and maintenance, said it can be difficult finding people with proper qualifications. 

“Most electricians that possess the proper qualifications are able to command a higher salary in the private sector, albeit with less benefits than the district typically offers,” Hafer said.

Miller said the health care industry has a need for electricians. And, he said large-scale projects like the $1.9 billion Steel Dynamics mill project in Sinton needs electricians.

Jobs for electricians are projected to be at more than 789,000 by 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It predicts the need for workers will be driven by alternative energy and construction spending. 

Texas had more than 63,000 electricians making an annual mean wage of more than $52,000 in 2019, according to the federal agency. The Waco area had more than 500 electricians last year.

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

Rosenberg native serves veterans at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Kenneth Buford served his country as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army for eight years, during which time he traveled to such places as the Middle East and South Korea. Recently the Rosenberg native’s worldly experience brought him back home to serve fellow veterans as director of veteran recruitment at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory so far? 

Right now, given the times, assisting veterans to complete their registration applications during quarantine has been my favorite thing to do.

Is there anything in particular that you feel makes TSTC unique?

The staff and faculty at Texas State Technical College truly believe in providing students every opportunity and resource necessary to ensure their success.

What impact do you hope to have at TSTC?

During my tenure at TSTC, it is my hope to utilize my professional military and civilian experience to assist in the building of long-lasting bonds between the college itself, veteran organizations and the community. These bonds will serve as bridges connecting veterans, their dependents, and the broader community to the types of educational resources and experiences necessary to attain higher-paying employment and financial stability.

If you could give any advice to fellow veterans, what would you tell them about starting college or going back to college? 

Although many of us focus on today, it is important always to look toward the future and plan for tomorrow. The ability to earn a certificate or degree enhances individual marketability and provides us paths to employment and financial freedom.

To learn more about veteran services offered at TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/veterans.

From left to right: Vlad Hidrovo, Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, veteran and TSTC Student with Kenneth Buford. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Burford and was taken in early 2020.

 

TSTC Emphasizes Construction Safety to Students

(WACO, Texas) – The construction industry needs well-trained workers who have a safety-first mentality. Texas State Technical College prepares them for that. 

“We are short on workers and losing them regularly due to the retirement age,” said K. Paul Holt, president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Central Texas Chapter in Waco. “The construction field has evolved to the point where young people getting involved in building construction technology with a construction science or engineering degree enter at a higher level and are better prepared to become leaders.”

Students in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology, Electrical Construction, Energy Efficiency Specialist, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology and Solar Energy Technology programs take classes on building codes and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

 Hugh Whitted, an instructor in TSTC’s Solar Energy Technology program, said safety is the first thing discussed with students in all of the construction-related programs.

“Most of the students we get are students who come from rural areas and small schools that have strong vocational programs,” he said. “So, they are already fascinated with the trades anyway, and they bring that with them to TSTC.”

Bobby Horner, a graduate of TSTC’s Architectural Drafting and Design program and an inspection supervisor for the city of Waco, said students who want to pursue the construction field or its specialties need to know about International Code Council and OSHA guidelines. 

“If someone leaves TSTC and wants to be a construction manager, they are kind of geared to thinking that way,” Horner said. “They need to know the safety features.”

Holt said it is important for construction students to pay attention to what they are being taught about building codes. He said learning how to maintain safety the first time will help once they are working on job sites.

“The main thing is most construction safety is based upon common sense,” Holt said. “We have a habit of sometimes picking up bad habits or shortcuts that we don’t necessarily think about.”

The United States’ construction industry had more than 1,000 on-the-job deaths in 2018, according to OSHA, which estimates more than 500 workers’ lives could have been saved with more attention to safety.

The National Safety Council recommends that people reduce falls by not leaning or reaching while on ladders, working in inclement weather, or setting up heavy equipment on unlevel ground.

Holt said following safety and construction guidelines can mean quicker completion time for projects.

“The combination of less time off for injuries and accidents and lower insurance rates winds up being a win-win for the contractor,” Holt said.

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

First Cohort of Tesla START Program Students Graduate at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College held a graduation ceremony earlier this month for its first cohort of graduates.

The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in March to learn the skills necessary to become electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla paid hourly internship, the students developed technical expertise and earned certifications through a blended approach of in-class theory, hands-on labs and self-paced learning.

All students who successfully completed the nationwide program go on to work at a Tesla Service Center in North America.

“We are excited about this group graduating,” said Adam Barber, TSTC’s interim executive director of Workforce Training in Waco.

The program’s classes are held at the Kultgen Automotive Center on the Waco campus, but due to safety precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, some lessons were shifted online and to the Tesla Service Center in Dallas.

Graduates from the program’s first cohort include: Jason Hobbs of Waco, Jeremy Holmes of Sorento, Illinois, Chris McCain of El Paso, Jesus Rojas of Dallas, Aaron Rox of Frisco and Ruben Sanchez of Abilene.

Hobbs graduated from TSTC’s Waco campus in 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology and certificates in Energy Efficiency Specialist and Electrical Construction. He worked in Dallas before learning about the Tesla START program and applying. Hobbs said he believes in Tesla’s mission to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

Hobbs said the electrical lessons he learned at TSTC have been critical in preparing him for success in the Tesla program. He will begin work in mid-June at a Tesla Service Center in Palo Alto, California.

“It’s very real with all the preparations to move across the country,” Hobbs said. “I plan on staying with Tesla a long time.”

McCain learned about automotive technology at a college in El Paso. He was working in government when he was laid off and looked for a new career path.

McCain said his favorite part of the Tesla START program was learning the theory of how Tesla vehicles look and operate. He will begin work in mid-June at a Tesla Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“I am excited for the move and starting something new,” McCain said.

Sanchez graduated in 2019 from TSTC’s Abilene campus with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. He learned about the Tesla START program from the TSTC Alumni Network.

Sanchez said he was drawn to an interest in Tesla and its founder Elon Musk’s work.

“The (company’s) vision for the future is awesome since nobody has done this before,” he said. “It is exciting to be part of.”

Sanchez said he hopes one day to use his welding skills at SpaceX, another Musk-owned company. Meanwhile, he will begin work in late June at a Tesla Service Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

There are currently seven other Tesla START partnerships with colleges in California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington. The program launched in 2018 and has had more than 300 graduates to date.

The program’s second cohort is scheduled to begin in August, with more cohorts to follow in 2021.

For more information on Tesla START, go to tesla.com/careers/tesla-start.

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

TSTC celebrates its Fort Bend County campus graduates

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – One of the greatest milestones of a college career is reaching the finish line at commencement. While Texas State Technical College had to do things a little differently this semester, the team at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus wanted to give its best to the spring 2020 graduates one more time as they set off into their new careers.

 A small, socially distant celebration was held Friday, June 19, to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates who once again proved that TSTC students are nothing short of resilient.

 

“When we heard we would have to cancel spring commencement due to the pandemic, we knew we needed to do something to highlight the huge milestone for our spring graduates,” said TSTC campus enrollment executive Georgeann Calzada. “Celebrating something positive during this pandemic is something we were all happy to do. I hope the graduates know that we will always be here to support them, encourage them, and join in on what we know will be a lifetime of accomplishments.”

 

TSTC’s director of veteran recruitment in Fort Bend County, Kenneth Buford, reiterated that TSTC prides itself on maintaining connections with students, even after their time on campus is over.

“Our graduates are about to become members of a family dedicated to their success,” he said. “Their TSTC family will always be here to guide, support and encourage them.”

Christina Vargas, a TSTC assistant director of enrollment management, also offered congratulations for the graduating class.

 

“Every graduating class is special,” she said. “We honor every class for their hard work, but this particular group overcame some unique challenges. The pandemic took a chunk of their graduating semester and turned it upside down.”

 

Despite the adversity faced by students, Vargas does not doubt that they are ready for whatever their futures may bring.

 

“The fact that they were able to rise to the challenge and complete their degrees proves that they are more than just trained in their craft,” she said. “They have the heart and spirit to rise above adversity. That is as valuable, if not more, than any other quality.”

 

Fall registration is currently underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Hosts Spring Graduate Parade

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its spring graduates Friday with an on-campus graduate parade.

“This is a celebration of endurance, hard work and dedication by our students and the entire Waco campus that has supported these students through this time,” said Rebeca Villanueva-Hernandez, TSTC’s campus enrollment executive.

Graduates checked in with TSTC staff in the John B. Connally Technology Center’s parking lot and received diploma covers and graduation yard signs. The actual diplomas and certificates have been mailed to graduates.

Patti Tate, TSTC’s interim provost for the Waco campus, , along with associate provosts Cindy Kimbrell and Jerome Mendias, led the procession as grand marshals. 

“They (the graduates) have really persevered through a time that was difficult for all of us,” Kimbrell said. “I think our graduation candidates could see the finish line, but they were just not sure of how to get through that uncertain time. But, they made it, and we are extremely proud of them and our faculty. The faculty came together and threw everything they had at those graduates to help them get through. I don’t think I’ve ever been more honored to be part of such a dynamic team.”

Faculty and staff lined Campus Drive to cheer on the graduates and their families. 

John Washington, an associate professor in TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program, said perseverance and strategic thinking will help graduates get a start in the workplace.

“Do your own research, and do not just rely on what you may read unless you personally know someone who works for the organization,” he said. “Be prepared for virtual job interviews and understand how to conduct yourself accordingly.”

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

TSTC Debuts New Virtual Kiosk System for Students

(WACO, Texas) – Students at three of Texas State Technical College’s campuses can now use a digital queuing system for a range of services.

Students at the Fort Bend County, Harlingen and Waco campuses can sign up at tstc.edu/wem to use QLess, an online system meant to decrease the physical amount of time spent in line to meet with TSTC’s student services staff.  

Students can also download the QLess app for smartphones.

Once on the app, they can choose what office they need to visit and receive updates on their place in line.

“I think the rollout of QLess has worked really well for us thus far,” said Garrett Bratton, a TSTC program enrollment coach. “We are still learning how to use it, but it seems to be a very useful resource during this time.”

Steve Guevara, TSTC’s statewide veteran services director, said although QLess is in a testing phase, he can already tell it will improve customer service. 

QLess will be used to assist us in providing students phone or face-to-face services while allowing us to keep our social distancing,” he said. “Instead of waiting on campus, we can communicate with the student through QLess to alert them when they can stop by the office to speak to us.”

QLess is used by entities in education, government, logistics and retail. It is estimated the company has saved more than 100 million people at least 6,000 years’ worth of time waiting in line worldwide, according to company information.

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

Computer networkers keep people connected

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – With more people working from home, the internet has been busy.

Renee Blackshear, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor at Texas State Technical College, said computer networkers have been the “unseen essential workers” during the past few months.

“Computer networkers have been able to keep people in communication with each other,” she said.

The TSTC program was spotlighted this month during a virtual visit on Facebook. Blackshear focused the visit on what students will learn over the program’s five semesters. She said her goal was to turn the people watching the virtual visit into students.

“A lot of people may be looking for a different career. I want them to know this is a cool program,” she said.

Blackshear said graduates have found employment with health care systems, school districts, banks, institutions of higher education and telecommunication companies.

“Anywhere there is a computer, there is a need for a computer networking technician,” she said.

Students will learn routing, switching, server development, security and virtualization.

“All of these are important for a successful career in information technology,” Blackshear said.

While the program is available online, students do have lab sessions to complete.

“The best way of learning is by doing,” Blackshear said.

Students who are patient and pay attention to detail will find success, Blackshear said. However, networkers will find the job challenging.

“Within IT, our daily task list changes like the Texas weather: rapidly. This means one minute you could be sitting at your computer answering technical support questions or building a web server, and the next you could be on a ladder running cable across the ceiling for a network drop or setting up a wireless bridge to communicate for remote learning,” she said.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration at the Abilene, Brownwood, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses.

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

TSTC Hosts Drive-In Celebration for Spring Graduates – Williamson County

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its spring graduates Friday with a drive-in celebration.

Instructors and staff members lined up at the entrance to the East Williamson County Higher Education Center and cheered graduates and their relatives as they drove onto campus in decorated vehicles. Participating graduates were eligible for a drawing to win a professional diploma frame and other prizes.

Some graduates took photos in front of a TSTC-themed banner and received a diploma cover and yard sign before leaving campus. The actual diplomas and certificates have been mailed to graduates.

“We are trying to limit contact with each other,” said Chemese Armstrong, TSTC’s campus enrollment officer.

This is the first time TSTC has honored its graduates in this manner.

“We want to show them we are proud, and this is our way of doing that,” Armstrong said.

Instructors were happy to see their students take the next big step in their lives.

“As an industry, culinary arts is fortunate to have such innovative minds pursuing their careers, especially in times like this when the making and breaking of businesses is completely contingent on their adaptability,” said Nelson Adams, lead instructor of TSTC’s Culinary Arts program.

Joshua Schier, an instructor in TSTC’s Cybersecurity program, said graduates are ready to enter a workforce that has seen dramatic changes this year.

“We who celebrate all your achievements at TSTC are certain of one thing: You will not let us down,” he said. “You are TSTC graduates!”

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

 

 

TSTC Hosts Drive-In Celebration for Spring Graduates

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus  honored its spring graduates Friday with a drive-in celebration.

“Our students have persevered through a very hard situation, so we wanted to commend them for their efforts,” said Tara Odom, TSTC’s campus enrollment executive. “We are so proud of each one of them.”

Instructors dressed in academic regalia lined the entrance to campus and cheered for graduates and their relatives. Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, gave each graduate a diploma cover, a pizza and a TSTC alumni bag. The actual diplomas and certificates have been mailed to graduates.

“Moving forward, I do not think there would be anything that could stop this group,” Balch said.

Graduates and their families had the opportunity to take photos in front of a TSTC-themed backdrop. 

Instructors were happy to see their students move forward in their lives.

“This is a mere stepping-stone toward your future and career,” said Elisha Vaughan, an instructor in TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. “Never lose sight of the things you worked so hard for in your past and the target of your goal in your future.”

Douglas McCuen, lead instructor in TSTC’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program, said graduates will do their best if they enjoy what they do.

“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world,” he said.

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