Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS – The Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) at South Texas College recently celebrated its latest cohort of 56 graduates who recently completed its Construction Superintendent Apprenticeship program.
The latest cohort represented 20 different industry partners including construction companies and municipalities.
“It’s so important to understand what is taking place along the border and here at South Texas College. We work diligently to ensure that we provide the most state-of-the-art programs with the latest technology for our students to be able to succeed and that is what we do very well,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “We see a big surge in demand in construction management and project management, so at STC we have put all our resources into meeting this demand. This is why we are a transformational college.”
In a strategic partnership between CATA, the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America (RGV-AGC) and industry partners, STC forged the Construction Superintendent Apprenticeship that enables those who complete the program to receive a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The program is designed for those already employed in the industry and who can meet the requirements for the apprenticeship, which includes an on-the-job schedule as well as completion of the program curriculum. The apprenticeship program is set up “hybrid-style” with a certificate that encompasses 2,000 hours of on-the-job training that is required before students earn their journeyman certificate.
A journeyman certification denotes a high skillset that can result in better pay and promotions.
The apprenticeship seeks to address a crucial industry need by targeting professionals in construction-related careers, particularly those involved in public sector projects such as federal initiatives, schools and industrial endeavors.
“Now you have something worthwhile that lasts for a lifetime, which is a credential from the U.S. Department of Labor together with South Texas College, that no one can take away from you,” said Carlos Margo, Ed.D., dean of Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships. “To all who have gone through the program over the last year and a half, this ceremony is for you and your family so you can celebrate this huge accomplishment. If you think about traditional apprenticeship programs, it’s not just for private use partners. Some of the biggest employers in the Valley are from institutions, school districts, municipalities and county government and more and more are coming to South Texas College to receive journeyman certifications. I congratulate you for completing and persisting.”
Those in industry say that opportunities through CATA are changing the landscape for those looking to improve their skills in industry and STC has long sought to bridge that gap.
Through CATA, STC promotes a collaboration between apprenticeship coordinators and employers to create a curriculum that meets industry standards while providing the necessary resources and training for success.
The program covers essential aspects of blueprint reading, construction management and leadership while providing students with the flexibility they need to work and study.
“We place an incredible amount of focus in making sure we train our employees to make sure they are prepared not just for the role that they are in, but to be ready to move up,” said Valeria Vega, director of Leadership Development for Noble Texas Builders, which graduated 10 employees from the apprenticeship program. “We know we need to grow our people from within, so it only makes sense to provide them with all the essential skills they need for them to be successful in their current role and those roles above them.”
Chad Ufland, director of Operations for Central Air and Heating Services based in Harlingen, said the company has so far graduated 13 employees from the apprenticeship program.
According to Ufland, the impact he has seen shows the dedication of his employees who are striving more and who want to be mentors to the employees under them.
“The program has impacted our employees significantly. This shows they are dedicated to striving for more, being better, and mentoring others with the things they are learning,” Ufland said. “This is creating unity because it’s bringing together our employees who don’t usually see each other because they are in different parts of the Valley. Here we see them collaborating with each other through their studies so they can all succeed through the program.”
For more information about CATA and the apprenticeships it offers, call 956-872-6197 or contact apprenticeship navigator Christabel Jasso at cgalleg4@southtexascollege.edu.
