[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, January 18th Texas Southmost College cut the ribbon on two new learning labs for diesel mechanics and pipefitting that will bolster the offerings for students looking to get trained, certified, and start a high-paying career fast.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I<\/span>n-demand careers getting facilities to serve <\/span>the <\/span>community<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Texas Southmost College is upping the game when it comes to hands-on career training at the\u00a0ITEC Center on Mexico Boulevard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On Wednesday, Jan 18<\/span>th,<\/span> the 96-year-old\u00a0institute of higher learning cut the ribbon on two new learning labs for diesel mechanics and pipefitting that will bolster the offerings for students looking to get trained, certified, and start a high-paying career fast.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGreat things are happening at TSC,\u201d Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza said in her opening remarks, \u201cWe worked hard to make this a reality. I had dreams of special things when I became Board Chair, but I could not have dreamed this big. We want to thank all our industry partners because you are the ones who move us, excite us, and propel us to move our economy forward.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The college has invested in the ITEC Center to ensure the region has skilled laborers ready to keep the Valley moving and growing while also giving students a chance to work anywhere in the country with ready-to-hire skills.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pipefitting and diesel mechanics are the latest programs to receive and install new equipment to give students what they need to be trained and enter the workforce. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the ribbon-cutting ceremony Francisco Marin, Harlingen CISD Assistant Director for Transportation, spoke about the need for mechanics in his district and beyond.\u00a0Marin was a part of the advisory committee that helped develop the new program at Texas Southmost College.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSchool buses are something that is growing, and there is a big demand for diesel mechanics,\u201d Marin said. \u201cWhen I looked at this program, I knew that this is something that we need in this area and this community. The return on investment in this program will be great, and many lives will be changed because of it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Diesel Mechanic\u00a0program\u00a0has several\u00a0engines that surround an open classroom space where students can learn both the academic and hands-on sides of the trade. The class is already equipped with engines that students will come across daily\u00a0when working in their field.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Marin went on to give a concrete example of the workforce shortages that TSC\u00a0can help fill.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRight now, our fleet, in our school district, we have 116 buses,\u201d Marin said. \u201cWe have five technicians, and the ratio should be 15 mechanics per bus. So right now, we are short four mechanics, and that is because we plan to add 20 more buses, so there is a need for a program like this.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Associate VP of Instructor, Workforce Development, Dr. Joseph Fleishman, said that the investment by Texas Southmost College positions students to exit Texas Southmost College in a situation with plenty of doors open and the knowledge to diagnose and service the most popular engines. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Our board of Trustees approved $730,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment,\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s an amazing sum of money. Entry-level diesel mechanics will be able\u00a0to run the diagnostic equipment. The diagnostic program enables students to\u00a0read the system, understand the codes and place a work order for\u00a0repair. We take it from that level to then tear the engine apart and be able to make repairs when equipment is breaking.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thomas Tynan\u00a0is the Director of Construction and Manufacturing,\u00a0and he echoed the possibilities diesel students will graduate with.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDiesel is going to be incredibly popular,\u201d Tynan said. \u201cDiesel mechanics are in such demand in the valley, starting with agriculture but also construction and the shipping that goes on at the border. There really are a lot of job opportunities.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pipefitting will allow students to add a new skill set, especially to those who have completed welding, TSC\u2019s most popular workforce training course.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled for the college to have the resources that we have today;\u00a0none of this existed five years ago\u2019 Dr. Fleishman said. \u201cTo be able to walk into a 20,000-sq foot area\u00a0and see rigging and commercial roofing, and insulation and pipefitting and orbital\u00a0tube welding is amazing to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New programs are coming fast at Texas Southmost College as the institution responds and adapts to emerging industries. Orbital tube welding and laser welding promise to be on the forefront of the space exploration surge in Brownsville.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not just on the cusp of craft training, we\u2019re on the cusp of aerospace,\u201d Dr. Fleishman said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Courses start daily with most being taught at night to serve busy individuals driven to pursue\u00a0a new career. Register today by calling 956-295-3724 or visit\u00a0tsc.edu\/wtce.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”1927,1928,1926″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Wednesday, January 18th Texas Southmost College cut the ribbon on two new learning labs for diesel mechanics and pipefitting that will bolster the offerings for students looking to get […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":205,"featured_media":1926,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_gspb_post_css":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-itec","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n