(HUTTO, Texas) – Some welding students at Granger High School are working on a bathroom stall project for one of their campus buildings.
The students are working with new Miller-brand equipment made possible with a Jobs and Education for Texans grant in excess of $340,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission. The equipment includes automatic darkening and cooling welding helmets, small and large hydraulic presses, a milling machine and a portable vacuum system.
“A lot has to do with growing the FFA,” said Amber Thorsen, the school district’s chief of academics, referring to the National FFA Organization that formerly was called the Future Farmers of America. “In a rural setting, there is some interest (in welding).”
Plans are in the works for TSTC employees working with the Welding program to visit the high school in the next few weeks to learn more about the equipment and see how it can be best utilized by teachers and students.
TSTC’s College Pathways department has a memorandum of understanding with the school district for high school students to have the opportunity to take Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Cybersecurity, and Digital Media Design classes at TSTC. Allie Bonner, the College Pathways manager for TSTC’s Harlingen, Fort Bend County and Williamson County campuses, said while no Granger students are taking dual credit courses right now, the possibilities are endless.
“TSTC partners with school districts of all sizes because every community deserves access to quality technical education,” Bonner said. “By working with both small rural schools and large urban districts, we ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to succeed and to contribute to their local workforce.”
Nick Hamende, a senior at Granger High School, has been using the new welding equipment but is interested in studying HVAC at TSTC’s Williamson County campus. He said his father has welding knowledge and he has friends that weld.
“It’s a great break from sitting in classes,” Hamende said. “I’d like to get better at it. It’s a good skill for different trades.”
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.