Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
A new partnership between South Texas College Center for Advanced Training & Apprenticeships (CATA), the city of Weslaco and local heavy-equipment provider GMW JCB has led a successful completion of a customized heavy equipment operator training program for city employees, addressing local workforce needs and equipping participants with high-demand, career-advancing skills.
CATA’s mission is to actively seek to build strong partnerships with local and international businesses, educational institutions and government agencies to create a more dynamic, competitive and resilient regional economy.
The first cohort of trainees began their journey with little to no experience in heavy machinery. Over the course of the training, participants engaged in classroom instruction and gained hands-on experience operating bulldozers, excavators and motor graders at GMW JCB’s site in Donna.
The facility not only provided access to industry-standard machinery and land, but also incorporated interactive activities and incentives to keep students engaged.
In addition to earning a certificate of completion from STC, participants will go on to earn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 and forklift certifications later this month, further enhancing their qualifications and on-the-job- safety.
“This training has provided us with new experiences that will allow us to thrive in our departments and beyond,” said Jerry Delgado from the city of Weslaco Parks and Recreation department. “It allowed me to try something I never thought I would do and develop skills I never would have explored.”
Danny Garza, an operator for the city of Weslaco, praised the training’s hands-on approach, emphasizing how rare and valuable it was to gain direct experience with a variety of heavy machines in a real-world setting.
“This experience gave us the opportunity to operate a variety of heavy machines, which we don’t always get to do on the job,” Garza said. “That kind of exposure is going to transfer directly into the work we do every day and will definitely help us perform more efficiently and safely. It’s training like this that really strengthens our departments and makes us more capable as a team.”
Carlos Margo, Ph.D., dean for STC’s Center for Advanced Training & Apprenticeships, emphasized the impact of the program.
“It is extremely important for operators of heavy equipment to be properly trained,” he said. “That preparation minimizes risk of injury and improves operational efficiency,” Margo said. “My vision is to continue offering this training throughout the Rio Grande Valley so both employers and employees can benefit.”
Ricardo Belmontes, STC heavy equipment operator instructor, noted the transformation in students over the course of the training.
“There’s been a big difference in the confidence of the students since we started,” he said. “Many operators want to become well-rounded, but don’t have the tools or training. This course changes that.”
Angel Mercado, account manager for GMW JCB shared how the program would provide long-term value and how this partnership goes beyond just technical training.
“This partnership creates a valuable steppingstone for city of Weslaco employees not just to grow in their specific trade, but to advance professionally and personally within their own community,” he said. “It empowers them with skills that are immediately applicable to their jobs, while also opening the door to future opportunities. When local workers are trained and supported in this way, it strengthens the entire community because that growth stays here, benefits local families and contributes to a more capable and resilient workforce.”
This customized training program stands as a powerful example of regional collaboration in workforce development, bringing together public and private sector partners to drive economic mobility, empower local talent and enhance the effectiveness of city operations.
The program has already sparked interest from other municipalities, signaling a growing regional demand and potential expansion of the training initiative.
For more information on STC’s CATA, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cata/.
Information source: STC
