Work continues on the $1.2 million Workforce Center for Innovation at Texarkana College, which will house programs to train workers in high-demand manufacturing jobs.
Brandon Washington, dean of workforce and continuing education, said they expect the 19,568-square-foot building to be complete in November and plan a December move-in before spring classes begin in January.
Four programs will be taught in the building-construction technology, electrical technology, industrial maintenance/multi-craft and electronics technology/innovation. Washington said the offerings were driven by industry demand for additional employee training.
"We have advisory boards for all of our workforce programs and the advisory boards related to the three electrical programs requested the evening programs because they wanted to create additional opportunities for them," he said.
TC is also offering a new 16-week manufacturing certificate, an entry-level certification program that shows industrial and manufacturing employers that graduates have the commitment and skills necessary to be an asset to a company.
"The advisory boards and local employers helped us create the 16-week work-ready certificate based on gaps they had in the workforce," Washington said. "They're trying to fill certain positions in there mainly with the production just trying to get them started. The beauty of this certificate is they are able to get the basics. Employers really script for us what they need in an entry-level employee and we've embedded it in the programs here."
The 16-week certificate covers manufacturing process and production; quality practices and measurements; material handling, packaging and distribution; maintenance awareness; blueprint reading; safety; and professionalism and work ethics.
Student performance is based on skill performance and execution, attendance and punctuality, wear of uniform and an optional drug test.
Washington said students who receive the certificate will each receive an interview with an area employer and also have the option to continue working at TC to earn additional training and an associate's degree if they wish. He added that the manufacturing field is changing and trained workers are needed in manufacturing.
"A lot of the growth we're looking towards and a lot of the big time careers that are here already are related to advanced manufacturing," he said. "Things are fast-paced now and the large manufacturing we have now is related to automation and robotics rather than doing an assembly-line task over and over. The quality candidates that industry's looking for are more well-rounded in math, reading, technical, problem-solving when it comes to advanced manufacturing. That's where we need to grow our community and get people prepared for that. Those assembly line positions are going to go away. To continue growing our current business and to invite new business prospects in here, large warehouse and distribution facilities, we have to show that we are ready not only as a community, but ready as far as our workforce."
For more information about TC's workforce programs, contact Washington at [email protected] or call 903-823-3232.