Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS – South Texas College has officially ushered in its new 6,600 square-foot facility that opens the doors for future generations of students making their way into the welding industry.
The opening of its brand-new welding facility at STC’s Technology Campus was celebrated with a unique ribbon cutting ceremony, in which college administrators used a cutting torch to cut a metal “ribbon” and formally welcome the start of the new facility which includes 60 welding booths for students and houses industry-standard welding equipment.
With the expansion, the Welding program now adds nearly 14,000 square-feet of laboratory and class space for students when combined with the current facilities in place at the campus.
“This is a very important celebration because my focus when I began with the college was to focus not only on health careers but on the increase of demand in technology, and of course, our location really resonates well with what we are doing here along the border,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “So, technology has been our focus as well and this new facility really exemplifies what we are doing here at South Texas College, which is meeting the needs of the community. We are showing that STC delivers, and the community knows this. We are going to continue growing, but most importantly we are going to keep ensuring that students are prepared to enter the workforce.”
In attendance at the ribbon-cutting on behalf of the STC Board was Chair Alejo Salinas, Ph.D. and Board Secretary Danny Guzman. Representatives from industry included welding advisory committee member Rey Rivera from AOC Welding Supply as well as building architect Eddie Vela on behalf of EGV Architects.
“It has been the students who have always been at the center of everything we do,” said STC Dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology, Sara Lozano, Ed.D., who addressed students in attendance. “Everything we have done has been for you the students. Whether you are alumni or current students, our first thoughts are always what is best for you. Now you can learn from the best faculty and in the best facilities. That is what you see here today.”
Students seeking a degree in Welding from STC immediately become immersed in a program, at a college, that is just one of six accredited testing facilities in Texas certified by the American Welding Society (AWS), making it one of only a select few programs that can administer tests for multiple specialized certifications in welding to improve students’ employment chances.
STC’s Welding program currently boasts an 83% job placement rate.
More than 25 welding instructors, who collectively have over 350 years of industry experience, introduce students to the fundamentals of the craft including lay-out, fabrication, blueprint reading, safety and metallurgy while enabling them to earn a total of seven AWS certifications through the program.
The program also employs a full-time Certified Welding Instructor (CWI) who is one of only 90,000 CWIs across the globe who are highly regarded in the industry and act as a vital link for students, guiding the quality of their welds as they work towards AWS certifications.
“This facility here has top-notch equipment, and it is a sign that STC can meet all industry needs,” said Welding Advisory Committee member Rivera. “We have worked very well together all these years, and the college has responded by taking the committee’s advice and tailoring what it does to work with what industry is asking for. We know that the commitment is in place from the college, and that is very critical to meeting the needs of the welding industry.”
STC Welding student Brandon Garcia, who is currently studying for his Welding Associate of Applied Science with the hopes of starting his own business one day, says the new facility has the chance to support future generations of students who want to pursue welding.
“I received this passion for welding from my family, who are all welders,” Garcia said. “Just like my family inspired and supported me as I began in the program, I think this facility has the chance to support those welders who will come after me. I know this will benefit me right now, but for the upcoming generations who want to pursue welding, it’s a fun trade with the opportunity to gain all kinds of knowledge especially in industry as well as life experiences.”
For more information on STC’s Welding program visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/welding/.
