Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX (May 25,2015) – A $127,303 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has made it possible for the development of a new Fast Start Programs in Precision Manufacturing Technology certificate starting in fall 2015. Pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges, the program will provide individuals that have working experience the opportunity to receive a certificate in a compressed amount of time.
In this program, students will engage in coursework to gain technical skills in general basic manufacturing, with the curricula incorporating a variety of course studies and machine equipment. The program will consist of six classes; two online, some hybrid course options, and others available through credit-by-exam to facilitate the earning of credits and provide a faster route to the workforce.
“This TWC grant will help us reduce the amount of time it takes to achieve a PMT certificate,” said David Passero, STC grants and contracts compliance manager. “It is absolutely critical in preparing students more rapidly for high-demand positions.”
The accelerated options built into the Fast Start Programs in PMT certificate are designed for students that have at least one year of industry experience. Participating students are required to complete at least three National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credentials in order to complete the program.
An important component of the program also encourages students to continue their education in the South Texas College PMT Program by applying all coursework towards the PMT Associate of Applied Science degree, making them even more viable in the workforce.
According to Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI), machinist occupations should experience 26.4 % growth rate in the Lower Rio Grande Regional Area (Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Willacy, and Zapata counties) between 2014 and 2024. A total of 81 additional job openings are expected during this time period.
EMSI also indicates that machinist occupations should experience 23.7 % growth rate in the State of Texas between 2014 and 2024. A total of 7,165 job openings are expected during this time period. In addition, machinist occupations should experience a 12.2% growth rate nationally between 2014 and 2024. A total of 48,569 job openings are expected during this time period.
In the Lower Rio Grande Regional Area, EMSI indicates that the most recent median hourly earnings for machinist occupations were $15.36. In the State of Texas, the most recent median hourly earnings were $18.59 and nationally were $19.03.
For more information regarding the Fast Start Programs in Precision Manufacturing Technology certificate, please contact South Texas College Project Manager Esmeralda Adame at (956) 872-6163 or eadame@southtexascollege.edu.
