Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is reaching out to all DIYers.
A unique partnership between STC faculty, Continuing, Professional and Workforce Development (CPWE) and Mission Economic Development Corporation has enabled the college to offer a free two-hour Homeowner’s Home Maintenance course available to anyone in the community.
Instructors from STC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), Electrician Technology and Construction Supervision departments will be hosting the course at the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) facility located at 801 Bryan Road in Mission, Texas Friday Oct. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Participants of the two-hour course will learn the importance of maintenance in three key areas: HVAC, electrical and construction. The course aims to help individuals understand topics such as air temperature and humidity, filter maintenance, light bulb selection, paint selection, small drywall repairs as well as window and door weatherization.
“For us, getting involved in the community is important because we feel it’s our responsibility as professionals to give back,” said Jose Jasso, HVACR department chair. “Community service is one of the core values instilled in us by the college. We have to ask ourselves daily about what we can do to continue helping the community and stay involved. We stay involved by inviting the community to see what our programs are all about and how we can help them through the courses we offer. This will be a hands-on course so participants can expect to get their hands dirty. By the time they leave, we will make sure they have a better understanding of the basics of home repair.”
Last summer, STC and the Mission Economic Development Corporation partnered to expand educational outreach with course offerings at the city’s CEED facility.
The partnership was a response to the needs of regional industry, which is seeking to upskill and reskill the workforce and create opportunities for surrounding communities.
Led by STC CPWE, the college created courses focused on personal skills and business development that are taught by expert faculty.
“We try our best to engage with the community and have these types of courses that the community can take, and for somebody who may not be aware of what Continuing Education can offer them, maybe it can continue to open the door about all the other possibilities available for them through our department,” said Daniela Masten, director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. “We are really appreciative of the faculty. It’s the faculty that put this course together and we appreciate them volunteering their time to offer this course free to the community, which also aligns with what we offer here within Continuing Education – partnering with the community and making sure that we try to educate them.”
For more information or to register visit the registration link at https://bit.ly/4ezZrXI or call 956-872-3585
