(ABILENE, Texas) – Students returned to Texas State Technical College’s West Texas campuses this week to find some new facilities and programs waiting for them.
At the Abilene campus, the Power and Mechanical Center opened its doors to four programs: Diesel Equipment, Electrical Lineworker and Management, HVAC, and Plumbing and Pipefitting. Students toured the nearly 50,000-square-foot facility during the first week of classes.
“Our Power and Mechanical Center is offering much-needed workforce training in West Texas,” said Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses. “These new programs, combined with our current programs, will make sure Texas, especially West Texas, will have a well-trained workforce for years to come.”
TSTC will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Power and Mechanical Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. The facility was funded through the Capital Construction Assistance Projects under Senate Bill 52, passed during the 87th Texas legislative session in 2021.
“This is an amazing shop,” said Diesel Equipment student Brandon Boswell, of Dublin. “I am ready to get started working on these trucks.”
Boswell previously studied welding at TSTC, earning a certificate of completion.
“Once I found out that they were offering the diesel program in the new building, I immediately went in and registered,” he said.
The HVAC program also welcomed its first class of students in West Texas. Dawson Mitchell, of Midland, who worked in the oil field for years, said the program is helping him transition to a new career.
“I know that HVAC has a lot of electricity involved in it, and having this program in Abilene was great for me,” Mitchell said. “I am glad West Texas has this program available for students.”
In Sweetwater, Culinary Arts has returned after a yearslong absence. Part of the Temple Dickson Technology Center has been renovated to include a commercial kitchen and restaurant area. The campus’ former Automotive Collision Technology building has been repurposed for the new Building Construction program. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for both facilities is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.
Meanwhile, returning students in other programs expressed excitement to be back on campus. Jay Hopkins, a student in his final semester of Industrial Systems, said he is eager to put his training to work.
“I am taking what I have learned here to my job with Great Lakes Cheese,” Hopkins said. “I am excited that I am close to graduating and can begin using what I have learned in the real world.”
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.