(WACO) – More than 40 students at Texas State Technical College in Waco are preparing to travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to contend for gold medals at SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference from June 20 to 24.

More than 6,000 high school and college students nationwide are expected to compete in about 100 contests.

“TSTC is honored to send our students to SkillsUSA this year,” TSTC in Waco Provost Adam Hutchison said. “They’ve shown that they have the talent to compete and succeed against their peers in Texas and I’m confident that they’ll represent us well at nationals.”

The TSTC Foundation honored the students with a send-off event on Tuesday, June 14, in Waco.

Jorge Centeno, 32, of Coolidge will compete in his first national contest. Centeno will clash with other students in the Technical Drafting contest. He considers the trip a way to cap off his time at TSTC after graduating in May with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechanical/Electrical Drafting Technology.

“Some of my instructors encouraged me to do SkillsUSA,” Centeno said. “I thought, ‘What the heck, I’m already graduating.’ The first experience at the state competition was pretty cool. I wasn’t expecting to win and placed first in the state. I’m kind of nervous about the national competition and being on a flight and going to a place I have never thought of going before.”

Winning a gold medal at the national competition can add another credential to students’ resumes and make them more marketable when job hunting.

“But more than just the competition, our students will get to interact with business and industry representatives, forge friendships and establish connections that may last a lifetime and advance their career,” Hutchison said. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to enjoy the fellowship and the challenge of technical education.”

TSTC in West Texas, Waco and Harlingen won more than 30 gold medals, and more than 70 medals total during SkillsUSA’s statewide postsecondary competition in early April in Waco.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help college students pursue successful careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.

“Our students are ready to compete,” said James Matus, TSTC in Waco’s campus assistant director and an instructor in the Computer Maintenance Technology department. “TSTC is one of the best technical colleges in America. We have been competing in SkillsUSA for decades and this experience helps us prepare our students for their competitions.”

TSTC students scheduled to compete are Nick Baker, John Barron, Pete Baus, Arthur Boussart, Cameron Burt, Jordan Carpenter, Jorge Centeno, Joe Contreras, Marcus Crespin, Justin Curtis, Dax Edmiston, Kayleigh Ekwall, Louis Garcia, Jose Gomez, Juan Gongora, Ron Grandt, Delorean Green, Ben Huffman, Lane Huston, Larry Johnson, Joey Lopez, Michelle Lopez, Agustin Maldonado, Shelby Mauger, Logan Moore, Zackary Palomin, James Pearson, Angel Pevia, Christian Riestra, Alicia Rivera, Fausto Rodriguez, Ray Ross, Johnathan Sotomayor, Dylan Stubbs, Ciro Suaste, Charles Uecker, Turner Warren, Robert White, Anna Witt, Catherine Woodard and Joseph Yates.

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(WACO) – A Texas State Technical College alumna recently transitioned into a new position aimed at keeping the campus safe.

Cindy Volney, 57, of Lorena began in late May as a Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Officer. The position was created statewide a year ago with the first SHEA officer slot being filled at TSTC in Harlingen. Volney, the second person appointed to the job statewide, serves TSTC campuses in Waco, Marshall, North Texas and Williamson County.

Volney worked in Human Resources at TSTC in Waco before moving to her new position.

“I think she is going to do an amazing job,” said Human Resources Director III Kelly Contella. “Within Human Resources she has worked with the State Office of Risk Management and Texas Workforce Commission. She has already had the close connections on the safety side. I actually think she will have a lot of communication back to the Human Resources office and we will have many opportunities for partnerships to improve TSTC for employees.”

Volney will use TSTC’s Safety Program as a working guide, said Tom Hooker, executive director of Governance, Risk and Compliance.

Some of Volney’s goals include working with environmental health and safety students to provide internships for hands-on work conducting building inspections and safety meetings, writing inspection reports and other tasks. She said learning this work will help students once they graduate and move into jobs.

Volney wants to connect with safety officers chosen for each building who can find violations and give recommendations for corrections. She also wants to work closely with campus police and the state fire marshal.

“If people notice anything that is a hazard, we want them to report it and it will be investigated,” Volney said.

Volney is a graduate of Connally High School and attended McLennan Community College, both in Waco.

Her father, Bill Madden, attended what was then Texas State Technical Institute and studied air conditioning and refrigeration. She remembered living on campus with her family and going to the bowling alley, movie theater and family pool that once existed on the land that was Connally Air Force Base and that TSTC is now on.

She met her husband, Russell Volney, when he was a machinery student at TSTI. The two married and moved to Houston before returning to Central Texas.

Volney’s career has been in human resources with some safety and health aspects in the corporate and academic worlds since the late 1970s.

Volney’s former Human Resources supervisor Carrie Gayeske asked her what she would major in if she went back to college. Volney said it would be environmental health and safety, which began what she said was the often scary process of studying, attending classes and graduating in 2012 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology.

“There was no better accomplishment than to go through that program with honors,” Volney said.

Patti Tate, chair of the Environmental Health and Safety program, was impressed with Volney and her knowledge.

“She (Volney) was an excellent student who worked hard at honing her previous experience and learning the regulatory side of safety,” Tate said. “She is a strong advocate for TSTC, safety, and the environmental health and safety students.”

TSTC’s purpose has kept Volney working in Waco since the late 1990s.

“You have to believe in what we offer,” she said. “The students are leaving with good jobs.”

When she is not working, Volney enjoys spending time with her grandchild and traveling. Some of her favorite destinations are Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Western Slope of Colorado.

(WACO) – More than 70 Texas State Technical College students learned Thursday morning about work opportunities that could take them as far as the Caribbean.

Michael L. Pruiett, vice president of the Caribbean Division of William R. Nash Mechanical Contractors of Miami, Fla. and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, spoke to students in Building Construction and Technology, Electrical Construction, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology, Renewable Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Technology about work opportunities.

Visits like Pruiett’s help reinforce what faculty members tell students about developing skills for the workplace, said Jerome M. Mendias Sr., Building Construction Technology program chair.

“To have industry support the students and give encouraging words is huge for the students,” Mendias said. “Their skills are for jobs anywhere in the world.”

The recruiting family-owned company was founded in 1965 and specializes in plumbing systems and mechanical services.

“The trades can be good to your family and you can make an honest living,” Pruiett said.

Some of the projects the company has recently been involved in include the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, the University of Miami’s UHealth Ambulatory Center, the Miami Cancer Institute, the New Orleans Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The company typically does at least $75 million in sales every year.

Pruiett told students there were opportunities for not only his company, but others with a need for: project managers, project and working foremen, plumbing estimators, welders, fire sprinkler installers and other jobs.

“Texans have a good work ethic,” Pruiett said. “The industry needs you. The average age for quality workers in the trades is 47 to 52 years old.”

Pruiett has ties to Central Texas: he grew up in Gatesville, has relatives in Lorena and was stationed in San Antonio when he was in the U.S. Marines in the 1970s He first visited TSTC in March during Industry Career Day and met with Industry Relations and Talent Management staff which started the process of the visit.

After Pruiett’s talk, students were selected for program-sponsored scholarships given each semester.

Charles Uecker Jr., 48, a Building Construction Technology major from Cameron, received a $200 for International Code Council certification testing for building inspecting.

“I have done construction inspection for the past 20 years,” he said. “I had the opportunity to come to college and get some schooling behind me. I’ve enjoyed every minute here. I graduate at the end of the semester. The faculty are super helpful.”

Hunter Hartcraft, 25, an Electrical Construction major from Fredericksburg, received $150 from the program. He selected his major because of what is taking place in his hometown.

“There are tons of people moving in and they are building and construction businesses are understaffed,” Hartcraft said. “Everyone needs construction and it is a great way to travel.”

Chance Hott, 31, an Electrical Construction major from Caldwell, received a $100 scholarship from the program. He said he has enjoyed learning about federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and the National Electrical Code.

Hott said he enjoyed Pruiett’s visit because it made him aware of more opportunities in other locations where his electrical skills could be used.

Willie Hudsch, a Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology major from Waco, received $50 from the program.

For industry recruiting opportunities at TSTC, contact Industry Relations and Talent Management at 254-867-3009 or 867-254-3354. For more information on TSTC programs or for fall registration, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – Welding majors at Texas State Technical College have a pipeline for employment directly to a Southeastern company nationally recognized for its work and reputation.

National Boiler Service of Trenton Ga. began testing selected TSTC welding students in tungsten inert gas welding for a two-day period in December 2015. Testing was also done in April with similar plans for August and December. So far, 13 TSTC alumni and students from the Waco campus have achieved the company’s work standards and have either been hired or will start welding jobs in late summer.

“We are the premier industrial boiler shutdown and repair company in the United States,” the company’s Director of Human Resources Larry Brown said. “We do work all over the U.S. We do not do pipe welding but rather tube welding. We do paper mills and power plants.”

The boilers that employees work on can be from 12 to 20 stories tall. The boilers often contain heavy wall pipes and contain water. Brown said it was a challenge for the company to find welders with the right skill sets to work with the piping.

“Welding is not done in comfortable positions,” Brown said. “They have to slide in, be on their back, reach over their heads, squat, you name the position.”

The company works with less than 10 technical colleges throughout the country to test and find quality welders.

“TSTC has a tremendous set of instructors,” Brown said. “I can’t say enough good things about them. The welding facility is neat, well laid out and organized. It reflects the pride and professionalism that the faculty instil in their students.”

Josh Harrelson, 28, of Waco and Jacob Reed, 27, of Valley Mills both received Associate of Applied Science Welding Technology degrees in May. Both tested earlier this year and received certification from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and have accepted jobs with National Boiler Service.

Harrelson and Reed said they worked about three months before the testing to perfect their skills.

“I was very relieved and excited because this was my first official welding test for a job,” Harrelson said. “It was a rewarding experience.”

Harrelson said he is eager to join the workforce this summer.

“Blue collar work is the way I have gone throughout my life,” he said. “There are a lot of branches in welding. You can inspect, do product development, test and evaluate. I want to be the jack of all trades instead of the master of one.”

Reed said he was eager to use alloys like stainless steel and titanium when he is working.

“It’s an opportunity to advance your skills and learn more,” he said.

The company has a database of 8,000 workers nationally with 2,000 listed as active. Of these, there are more than 400 welders nationwide.

“Our people travel and they live wherever they happen to have a residence and have a job,” Brown said. “These are shutdown and completion jobs.”

Brandon Jones, a welding program instructor,  said visiting representatives of companies provide students with a morale boost and inspiration to work harder as they move toward graduation and their career goals.

TSTC offers welding programs in Breckenridge, Brownwood, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater, Waco and Williamson County.

For more information on TSTC programs or for fall registration, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – The first year of a program aimed at teaching high school students about the college process culminated in a celebration last week at La Vega High School.

Prosper Waco’s Project Link is a grant-funded organization working to create a college-going culture by linking Waco students to higher education and the workforce.

Texas State Technical College, McLennan Community College, the La Vega Independent School District and the Waco Independent School District brought together staff and parents to commemorate the college choices for the first cohort of more than 130 students from La Vega High School and University High School. Of the group, more than 20 students selected TSTC to attend this fall.

“You are part of a unique community project,” TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison told attendees. “You are the first Project Link students and there will not be another group like you. We need education partners and this is an example of how to serve that mission.”

The project’s students learned about academic planning, transitioning from high school to college, mentoring, personal enrichment and financial literacy.

Financial aid was another important topic for the students. La Vega’s Project Link students accepted more than $973,000 in grants and scholarships and University High’s Project Link seniors accepted more than $780,000 in grants and scholarships.

Every project student accepted to TSTC was recommended for The TSTC Foundation’s Texan Success Scholarship, campus Project Link Coordinator Brandon Chappell said. Each student selected will receive a $1,000 non-need referral based scholarship.

“These were students on the bubble with joining the workforce or military or going to college,” Chappell said. “We just want them prepared for whatever aspect of life they choose.”

Chappell said exposure to information was critical for students and parents.

“If we contact the students a lot, then they and the parents feel strongly about the college process,” he said. “It’s exciting. A lot of the students had not considered college an option. When the students toured TSTC some of them said it was their first time on a college campus.”

WISD Superintendent Bonny Cain said the high school diploma marked the transition from childhood to adulthood. Having the diploma, and later a college degree, would open up job opportunities and increase financial potential.

“Thanks to Project Link you know four-year universities, community colleges and technical colleges are at your fingertips,” Cain said. “The first year of Project Link is a success.”

Alexis Vega, 18, a University High senior and future TSTC auto collision technology student, will be the first in his family to attend college. He said he wants to be an example for his five siblings.

Vega said he learned a lot during his time in in Project Link.

“I liked when we took the field trip to TSTC,” he said. “We toured the auto collision shop. It’s so hands-on.”

Samantha Hernandez, 18, a La Vega senior planning to attend TSTC, wants to be a dental assistant. She credited the program for helping her get college admittance paperwork done on time.

“My parents didn’t go to college,” Hernandez said. “They work hard but I know that I can do better.”

Prosper Waco Executive Director Matthew Polk said it was exciting to be part of the start of the student’s long-term success.

“This is the goal of the entire project: to see students succeed,” he said.

Project Link students enrolled to attend TSTC are:

La Vega High School: Autumn Bradburry, Apolonia Castillo, Tylor Donahoo, Jacob Eaton, Justice Gamboa, Samantha Hernandez, Stephen Lovorn, Cheyenne Martell, Juan Jose Martinez Jurado, Misael Perez-Torres, Miguel Rodriguez, Erik Rodriguez, Jorge Tapia, Noe Vargas.

University High School: Carl Allen, Andre Bernal, Daniel Davalos, Marcos Gomez Mendez, Tyler Law, Esmeralda Ortega, Oscar Paloblanco, Joseph Ramirez, Joseph Ramos, Eliseo Resendez, Gabriella Robles, Joshua Rosado, Edward Salinas, Alexis Vega, Rebekah Vega.

For information on Prosper Waco and Project Link, go to prosperwaco.org.