Category Archives: All TSTC

TSTC Expansion Brings New Opportunities in Sweetwater

(SWEETWATER) – As industrial trades continue to grow in the West Texas area, Texas State Technical College is at the forefront, ready to supply graduates to fill new job openings.

Starting this fall, TSTC in Sweetwater will expand two of the college’s flagship programs, welding and diesel equipment, to increase its capacity to produce more work-ready technicians. The welding program, which currently houses 25 welding booths, will be expanding to hold 60 booths, and the diesel equipment program will expand from 30 enrollment slots to 60.

“Diesel and welding jobs are plentiful and projected to grow,” said Provost Eliska Smith. “TSTC chose to invest $1,750,000 to expand these two in-demand programs and equip even more quality welders and diesel mechanics.”

With the expansion, TSTC will be able to serve more Texans – both dual enrollment and full-time students – schedule courses more effectively, add additional course offerings, and grow its residential student body.

Ken Becker, executive director of the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development said as Sweetwater’s economic base continues to expand into logistics, energy and manufacturing, the need for developing the skill sets in welding, diesel, electrical and hydraulics also grows.

“TSTC continues to meet and exceed the current training needs while growing opportunities for their students and our companies’ future employees,” Becker said. “TSTC has expanded programs to not only meet the needs of today but to prepare students for expanding opportunities at new and existing companies.”

“Another benefit of more welding and diesel students living on the TSTC campus in Sweetwater is more dollars being spent in the Sweetwater economy as well,” added Smith. “TSTC residential students become a part of the community, eating at restaurants, and buying gas and groceries here.”

Taylor Elston, a welding instructor at TSTC in Sweetwater, agrees, and said the expansion also brings new opportunities for instructional growth, increasing the knowledge base of students.

“It’s an opportunity to get into different welding processes that haven’t been offered here yet,” Elston said.

TSTC currently offers a pipe welding certificate in Sweetwater, but the expansion would allow the college to branch out to offer a structural welding certificate as well. A structural welding certification is a valuable credential for welders who work with structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal and chemical refinery materials. The annual median wage for welders is $41,000, a great return on a $5,000 investment for a one-year certificate.

Keith McDonald, the district service manager for Yellowhouse Machinery South Texas, says the company employs three TSTC diesel graduates, and would benefit from the growth in qualified workers.

“Techs are few and far between,” McDonald said. “Not everyone can grab a wrench and say ‘I’m a technician.’ There are definitely more openings than there are qualified technicians.”

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 21 percent increase in jobs for diesel engine specialists in Texas through 2022, and a whopping 43 percent increase in welding jobs in the same time period.

TSTC currently offers welding at the Breckenridge, Brownwood, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater, Waco and Williamson County campuses. Associate degrees and certificates are available, varying by campus. Diesel equipment technology is also offered at TSTC’s campuses in Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater, and Waco.

TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the college, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

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TSTC Grad Collaborates on Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Project

2008 TSTC Aviation Maintenance graduate Brandon Westley stands in front of SpaceShipTwo at Virgin Galactic’s unveiling event. Westley’s team at The Spaceship Company were a part of the ship’s construction.

(WACO) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College don’t just reach for the sky, sometimes they reach even higher than that. Brandon Westley, a 2008 Aviation Maintenance graduate, took on the role of Lead Production Technician at The Spaceship Company in 2013, knowing there were great things coming for the company.

The Spaceship Company is a sister corporation to Virgin Galactic, who unveiled its commercial aircraft, SpaceShipTwo, on Friday. Westley’s team at The Spaceship Company played a large role in ensuring flawless operations. The ship is designed for space tourism, and will be able to transport six passengers (and two pilots) into space.

“As a team, we go over what is on the agenda and look for any conflicts that may inhibit our work flow such as job overlaps in close quarters, or problems we may have run into the day before,” Westley said. “After the day’s agenda has been distributed I thoroughly go through my job determining what parts, tools, and possible problems may exist.”

But the job is anything from monotonous.

“A normal day can range from laying up parts, to building an oven over a section needing to be cured, to training other techs on safety and tool usage,” Westley said. “It’s ever-changing and there are lots of opportunities to learn new things here.”

Wanting to make a difference in the world, and not at a desk, Westley chose to attend TSTC for his education.

“I wanted to contribute to something greater than myself,” Westley said. “TSTC was the likely choice to learn what I needed in order to find the right path for myself, and gaining my Airframe & Powerplant license was a huge step in having the right skill set and training to succeed in the aviation industry.”

Now, Westley has about eight years of aviation experience and more than 12 years of technician experience, mostly focused on mechanical and systems areas. He previously worked for L-3 in Waco before moving to his current job in Mojave, Calif.

He chose to go into the field of aviation maintenance to fuel his passion for tinkering.

“I have always been mechanically inclined,” Westley said. “I loved to take things apart to figure out how they work. I think mostly every child has dreams of space travel and flying, and it was just a natural progression for me to combine my love of mechanics and flight into a career I would enjoy.”

It’s a good fit, since technical industries have surrounded Westley in most aspects of his life.

“I have two older brothers both with technical backgrounds,” Westley said. “I also just recently got married in October, and my wife works for The Spaceship Company in the Engineering department.”

The Spaceship Company is located in the Mojave Air & Spaceport, a leading aerospace test center for commercial operations in North America.

“I get to be at the forefront of innovation – not just with TSC here, but with all the other experimental facilities here,” Westley said. “It’s like being at an air show every day. The types of aircraft present here are better than anything you could see anywhere else.”

Westley is referring to aircraft like SpaceShipTwo, which he’s proud to have worked on.

“There is a huge sense of fulfillment knowing all these months of long hours, hard work and milestones have enabled us to build a spaceship. We build spaceships – not many people can say that,” Westley said. “We’ve built the foundation for the common man to see the stars up close and personal; It’s a remarkable feeling knowing I’ve had the chance to be a part of history.”

Westley looks forward to opportunities the future brings.

“I look forward to seeing what projects and opportunities join The Spaceship Company and Virgin Galactic brands after we head into test, and eventually, commercial operations of our spaceship,” Westley said. “I’d also like to go back to school at some point for an engineering degree – there is still so much to learn and design and I’d like to be a part of all of it.”

Westley’s advice for students is simple.

“Work hard, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to challenge what’s always been done in favor of what can be done,” Westley said. “The sky isn’t the limit anymore.”

TSTC offers associate degrees and certificates in Aircraft Airframe and Aircraft Powerplant technology. TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the aviation maintenance programs, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

Three Programs at TSTC Attain 100 Percent Job Placement

(RED OAK) – Three programs at Texas State Technical College in North Texas have 100 percent job placement. Graduates of TSTC’s Diesel Equipment and Logistics Technologies who graduated in December are all working in industry now, while students of the High Voltage Electrical program, now known as Electrical Power and Controls, have all been brought on as paid interns for Oncor, and will be offered full-time employment after graduating in August.

Leroy White, the program chair for the three programs, said he’s not surprised.

“You can’t imagine a modern society without electricity,” said White. It touches every facet of our lives. The field is not only lucrative, but it’s in demand. I receive calls from companies that are looking for employees and they just can’t find people. There is a demand for skilled technicians in this field.”

White says Logistics has also become very popular in the area.

“If you look at the I-35 corridor here, you see a lot of trucking and logistics companies,” White said. “For example, Amazon has three facilities in the north Texas area and Fedex has a facility in Hutchins. There are many companies that have distribution centers and warehouses in this area. Also, the DFW airport is a Foreign Trade Zone, making the Dallas-Fort Worth area a hub for international activity. TSTC’s mission is to support the workforce of Texas and here in North Texas, logistics is large part of that.”

A rise in the need for qualified diesel technicians follows the logistics boom.

“Diesel and logistics kind of work together,” White said. “To be able to transport or ship inventory, those vehicles must be properly maintained to stay in good working condition.”

TSTC in North Texas Provost Marcus Balch said the success of these programs shows the school’s potential.

“We’ve only recently began serving the North Texas area, and these achievements show that TSTC chose the right area to expand in,” said Balch. “We hope we can continue to serve Red Oak and the surrounding cities with the same fortitude.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average growth in Texas across all three areas over the next six years. A 21 percent increase in Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is expected through 2022, while Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technician jobs will grow by 18 percent, and Logisticians by an impressive 40 percent.

TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the college, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Colton Boaz

(FORT BEND) – Colton Boaz, 18, from Needville is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Precision Machining Technology. Currently he has a 3.7 grade point average. Boaz expects to graduate with his associate degree in Fall 2016 and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I want to use the skills I have gained here at TSTC and become a CNC Machinist for an oil company. I have my eye set on working for National Oilwell Varco.

What’s your dream job?
Someday I would love to own my own machine shop and work with oilfield companies creating and repairing parts.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?
My greatest accomplishment has been making good grades. Everything I’m learning is new to me and I feel I am successfully pursuing my passion.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?
I have learned that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to with hard work and determination. I have learned that all my sacrifice will be worth it in the end.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success?
Mr. Michael Barnes has been my biggest influence. He has done some great things for our program. Every time we need help or we are struggling he is by our side, always willing to help. He always has past students visiting him, that says a lot. Mr. Barnes is also helpful when it comes to helping us find jobs because of the contacts he has made throughout the year.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?
It is important students remember that behind every success story, there has been great sacrifice.

 

Photo Cut Line: Colton Boaz from Needville, Texas is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Precision Machining Technology. He has a 3.7 grade-point average and will earn his associate degree in Fall 2016.

 

TSTC Helps Student Create a Better Life

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College will be opening a new campus in Fort Bend County in August 2016, but the college is already producing successful students like alumnus Matthew Fresquez, and placing them in good paying jobs in and around the Fort Bend region.

Fresquez graduated from TSTC in Fort Bend County in 2012 with a certificate in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology and a job offer in hand. He was on the dean’s list throughout his college career and graduated with honors.

“TSTC has definitely changed my family’s life for the better,” said Fresquez. “Getting a job straight out of college and earning a steady income has helped my family tremendously.”

Prior to enrolling at TSTC, Fresquez worked as a helper and installer for a local HVAC company. After a couple of years with the company, he knew he needed to go to college.

“I felt I wasn’t getting the training I needed with the employer I was with,” said Fresquez. “I wanted to advance my career and I wasn’t getting where I wanted to be.”

Enrolling in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at TSTC was the next step Fresquez needed to advance in the career he loved and provide a stable financial environment for his wife and two sons.

Fresquez was with the company that hired him right after college for three years, but in March, he will begin a new chapter in his career at a new company: Chimney Rock Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. He will be working as a service technician and the owner of the company is excited about having him on board.

“There is a shortage of skilled and highly trained workers in the HVAC field,” said Brian McIlwain, owner of Chimney Rock. “But I can tell that Matthew has all the required skills and passion needed to succeed with my company. Because of the education he received I have full confidence in his abilities and I’m so excited to have him on board.”

Fresquez credits the hands-on learning approach TSTC takes with all of its programs for helping him take his skills to the next level.

“I left TSTC more knowledgeable than I came in and ready to take on the workforce,” said Fresquez. “I practiced with all of the equipment I could. After all it’s everything you use while working in the field.”

Fresquez said his experience at TSTC was rewarding and fulfilling. He said his instructor Keith Klix played a huge role in his success in the program.

“Keith is a great instructor. He’s so knowledgeable in the field and has so much experience,” said Fresquez. “He not only showed us how to get the job done, but how to get it done right.”

Come August 2016, Fresquez hopes to enroll at the new TSTC campus to work toward an associate degree in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology. He hopes continuing his education will give him the opportunity of becoming an instructor at TSTC someday.

“I want to be a good example for my sons,” said Fresquez. “I hope watching me graduate and seeing how our lifestyle has changed for the better will inspire them to go to college someday.”

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County Campuses.

Registration for the summer and fall semesters begins April 4. To apply visit tstc.edu today!
For more information on the program in Fort Bend County call 281-239-1586.

 

Matthew Fresquez is a graduate from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. He graduated with a certificate in 2012 from the HVAC program with a job offer in hand. He will begin a new chapter in his career in March as a service technician for Chimney Rock Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

Texas State Technical College Student Gives Time as SkillsUSA Volunteer

Michelle Lopez, a TSTC student in Waco, is volunteering this month at SkillsUSA District Competitions.

(WACO) – Michelle Lopez has been on both sides of SkillsUSA competitions.

Lopez, 41, a student at Texas State Technical College, is volunteering this month for the high school SkillsUSA District Competitions hosted on campus. The first district contest was Feb. 5-6 with additional competitions Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 26-27. High school students compete in topics ranging from welding to cosmetology.

During the first day of competition on Feb. 5, Lopez welcomed students to TSTC and let them know how they could continue to be part of SkillsUSA at the collegiate level. TSTC has a history of creating champions with students having won more National SkillsUSA awards than any other college or university in Texas.

“When planning and running SkillsUSA events, volunteers are the event’s worker bees that make sure every detail gets done,” said James Matus, an instructor in the Computer Maintenance Technology program and campus SkillsUSA event director. “Their work ranges from cleaning, giving directions, scoring and judging.”

Lopez competed at the state and national collegiate level in SkillsUSA in 2014 and 2015 and this year will take part in state contests in Chapter Display, Extemporaneous Speaking, Prepared Speech and Technical Computer Applications. State medalists will move on to the SkillsUSA Championships in June in Louisville, Ky.

“I enjoy being able to network with my peers from around the country and with industry leaders,” said Lopez.

She was the campus SkillsUSA president in 2015 and is the chapter secretary this year.

Lopez was born in Waco and raised in Burnet. She spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps and seven years in the United States Army before leaving on medical retirement.

Today, Lopez is studying Digital Forensics Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Networking and Systems Administration and Cloud and Data Center Management. She wanted to put the intelligence knowledge she gained in the military to good use. She is scheduled to graduate in December with multiple Associate Degrees.

“It’s taking me extra time since I’m earning multiple degrees,” she said. “It’s worth it for what I can do for employers. I will be even more versatile in the workforce.”

Texas State Technical College Police Training Employees on Safety

(WACO) – Run, hide or fight: these are the three actions that faculty and staff in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program learned about on a recent Friday morning from members of the Texas State Technical College Police Department.

“What we are trying to do is to get you to grasp the fundamental concept of how to handle an active shooter situation,” TSTC Police Chief Brian Davis said.

Run, hide or fight is the theme of a safety video that has been shown to all TSTC campus employees. The video was produced by Ready Houston, the emergency preparedness arm of the city of Houston. TSTC campus police statewide also take periodic safety training.

Campus police announced in January that they would visit every building on campus and train employees on what to do if an active shooter incident occurred. Training, to help prepare staff and faculty in case there is a incident on campus, started in late January and is scheduled to end in June.

Davis and Sgt. Joe Ashby said people should not set indoor fire alarms off as warnings because this could cause panic. Doors can be blocked with heavy objects such as desks. And, people leaving a building should not stop police unless they have specific descriptions of the shooter.

“People who commit these types of crimes are trying to be famous and kill as many people as possible,” Ashby said.

Ashby said the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Building where he and Davis met with faculty and staff was built well with its small windows and controlled entrances. These features could make it more difficult for an active shooter to enter the building. The structure was built in the early 1950s.

“It was a good presentation,” said Joe Paris, a program lab assistant and 2013 TSTC graduate with an associate degree in air conditioning and refrigeration technology. “I like the security of the building.”

Faculty and staff liked what they heard from campus police.

“I learned a little bit more about fighting back,” said Barbara Tynes, department secretary. “We have plenty of items to make into weapons. Hot coffee, whatever you can get your hands on.”

Similar safety trainings involving active shooters, natural disasters and other emergencies are conducted at all 10 TSTC campuses statewide every year.

Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Linemen Program Fills Need for Trained Workers

Texas State Technical College students work in the outdoor electrical pole lab in Waco.

(MARSHALL) – Electrical lineworkers are some of the first people to respond to emergencies, such as downed power lines from hurricanes and ice storms.

Scott Buckelew, an Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College, said he has been encouraged by the need for employees with the recent hiring of nine program graduate by AEP.

“Every county basically has a co-op that has roughly 15 to 20 men working for the electrical office,” he said.

Buckelew worked 25 years in various positions at Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc. in Waco before making a career change to teaching. He began job shadowing at the college last November and is now teaching his first full semester.

“I like to show the students what is going on and that I got something out of it,” Buckelew said.

Students can earn a certificate and associate degree in Electrical Lineworker Technology at TSTC in Marshall. The Marshall program currently has more than 30 students.

Texas employs the highest number of electrical lineworkers in the country. The hourly mean wage for Texas workers is $26.19 with the annual mean wage at $54,470, according to May 2014 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Texas, electrical lineworker jobs are expected to rise 24 percent by 2022.

“The job market is great for lineworkers,” said Robert Mitchell, an instructor in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program. “The baby boomers are retiring and companies across the state are needing trained linemen.”

Some of the qualities needed to do the work include the ability to be mentally tough when working in the elements and at heights as well as the stamina to balance on the side of a pole for periods of time.

“Students who like the outdoors and who are physically capable of performing manual labor in all kinds of extreme weather are geared to our program,” Mitchell said. “Climbing a pole and building power lines is a challenge which our students look forward to. We sometimes start our labs at 4 a.m. so the students can get accustomed to working at night and in the dark. Linework is a 24/7 operation and we prepare students for the real world.”

Tyler Kussad, 19, of Lexington is scheduled to graduate this spring with a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology. He said he has already accepted a job that is being held for him at an area electric cooperative.

Kussad enjoys working with his hands and climbing to the top of the electric poles at TSTC’s outdoor lab in Waco. He said he also likes driving the program’s boom truck.

“This program is not as expensive as others,” Kussad said “I like it a lot. We have good instructors and I’ve learned a lot since I have been here.”

Patrick Rayson, 21, of Temple is scheduled to graduate with a certificate in the fall. He said he became interested in electrical line work when he watched a transformer be changed out at his father’s house.

He wanted to pursue an outdoor career and hopes to get hired by an electrical company in Waco after graduation.

The Marshall program currently has one automatic boom truck that students use to prepare for the commercial driver’s license test.

The College Preview Day at TSTC in Marshall will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 14 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Apply today at tstc.edu. Registration for summer and fall semesters begins April 4.

Texas State Technical College Recruiters Utilizing Business and Education Experiences

(HUTTO) – The Texas State Technical College family at Williamson County is growing. The campus welcomed two recruiters who are looking forward to working with students and parents.

Sherri Arrington joined TSTC in December while Caleb Steed began work on Feb. 1. Both are based at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto.

“Willimason County is a location in which we see growth potential to train and place more students in the immediate area,” said Kimberly Porter, TSTC’s interim vice president for student recruitment. “Our program offerings are aligned with the needs of the community and TSTC is a great resource for employers looking for talent. Our recruitment team is focused on visiting the local high schools and participating in community events to educate the community about all TSTC has to offer.”

Arrington sees similarities between her two decades of work in manufacturing management and her new role as a recruiter. She worked in Austin before joining TSTC in December.

“The skills I developed in industry, like organizational and people skills, will serve me well in my new position at TSTC,” she said.

Arrington goes to the high schools to present to juniors and seniors in their classrooms.

“I am making contacts at the schools so they know we are here,” Arrington said.

She wants everyone she visits with to take away how TSTC can offer the opportunity to earn a quality education, provide career development and is affordable.

Arrington, an Austin native and graduate of Reagan High School, has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from what is now Concordia University Texas in Austin.

Steed too, is eager to visit students to tell them about TSTC.

“We want more students to get in and get out in the workforce to make money,” he said. “There aren’t many colleges stressing that to the students.”

Steed was raised in San Angelo and is a graduate of San Angelo Central High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in family ministry from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

“When I first graduated (from HSU) it was right in the 2008-2009 housing bubble crash and there weren’t too many banks hiring, so I went into personal finance and worked on retirement plans for people,” he said.

Steed joined TSTC in January 2015 as the director of instructional support services and interim director of the culinary arts program at the Abilene campus.

“We (Steed and his wife) will definitely miss west Texas and the relationships that we built,” he said. “We are very excited to be living in the Williamson County area.”

TSTC’s Williamson County campus offers Computer Support Technology, Culinary Arts, Cyber Security, Database Administration Programming, Global Communications Systems, HVAC Technology, Industrial Electrical Systems, Industrial Maintenance, Plumbing & Pipefitting Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology.

The College Preview at TSTC in Williamson County will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 14. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Student Success Profile – Ryan Kosik

(FORT BEND) – Ryan Kosik, 19, from Cypress, Texas is a student at Texas State Technical College working toward a certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology specializing in heavy equipment. Throughout Kosik’s time at TSTC he has maintained a 3.0 grade-point average. Kosik will be graduating in Summer 2016 and hopes to return to TSTC for his Associate Degree in Diesel Equipment Technology. He said he is excited about returning because he will get to attend the new TSTC Fort Bend County campus opening in August 2016.

What are your plans after graduation? I want to start working for a company where I can use all of the skills I’ve learned to work on engines and power trains.

What’s your dream job? I ultimately want to be an engine and generator specialist. I hope to one day own my own business and be my own boss.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? My greatest accomplishment at TSTC is realizing that I can get through my classes with good grades by simply doing my work. I’ve been able to maintain a B average.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? Regardless of how I may feel at the end of the day, I must always remember that I made some progress.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? I have to say all of the guys in my class have been a big influence. Many of them make A’s and that motivates me to do better and keep up with them.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? Don’t complain about college, or how much work you have to do, or how dirty the job is. Just push through it and get it done.

 

Photo Cut Line: Ryan Kosik from Cypress, Texas is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Diesel Equipment Technology. He has a 3.0 grade-point average and will earn his certificate in Summer 2016.