(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Plumbing and Pipefitting, a program new to Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, recently welcomed its first cohort of students as the fall semester got underway.
Among those students are Ricardo Cantu, David Martinez and Fernando Ochoa.
Cantu, of Lyford, is pursuing a Plumbing and Pipefitting – Tradesman certificate of completion. He said his goal is to mirror the skill and expertise demonstrated by his instructors.
“I want to learn as much as I can from them and build a successful career in this field,” he said.
Martinez, of Brownsville, is working toward a certificate of completion in the program. He said his interest in the trade was sparked after he volunteered to work with a plumber during a natural disaster last year.
“The work I saw a plumber do in homes across Florida and North Carolina after Hurricane Helene stood out to me,” Martinez said. “After volunteering, I searched online for plumbing programs back home in the Rio Grande Valley. That’s when I found out TSTC was launching its new Plumbing and Pipefitting program.”
Ochoa, of Harlingen, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Plumbing and Pipefitting – Journeyman. He said he appreciates the enthusiasm that his instructors have brought to the classroom and labs during the first two weeks of the fall semester.
“They’re always eager to share their knowledge and offer helpful tips,” he said.
Hector Rosa, TSTC’s Plumbing and Pipefitting lead instructor in Harlingen, said launching the program and welcoming the first cohort has been a rewarding experience.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to help meet the growing demand for plumbers with many in the field nearing retirement,” Rosa said. “Our program is off to a strong start by setting expectations for our students from day one.”
According to onetonline.net, the need for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was forecast to increase 13% between 2022 and 2032 in Texas, where the median annual salary for these jobs is $58,560.
For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.