(WACO, Texas) – Five of Texas State Technical College’s campuses commemorated the nationwide Manufacturing Day on Friday, Oct. 3.
“It gives national manufacturing companies the chance to explore those programs such as Mechatronics, Precision Machining and Welding and how they are aligning with industry needs,” said Isaac Gonzalez, a Precision Machining instructor at the Harlingen campus. “Events like this also give current and prospective students a clear idea of the industry partnerships we have that can potentially lead to future job opportunities.”
More than 3 million new manufacturing workers will be needed in the next decade in the United States, according to the Manufacturing Institute. Manufacturing encompasses many fields, including automation, computer-aided design and robotics.
“We are shaping the world of tomorrow one chip at a time,” said Matthew Cotter, a Precision Machining instructor at the North Texas campus.
Representatives of Scot Industries Inc., a supplier of specialty tubing products in Brookshire in Waller County, toured the Precision Machining program and watched a student-led demonstration on a computer numerical control machine at the Fort Bend County campus.
“The diversity on display is key,” said Chris Williams, a company account manager. “Learning how to program, set up and run the machine will equip your students for a better future.”
About 60 students from John B. Connally High School in the Pflugerville Independent School District traveled to the Williamson County campus to tour the Advanced Manufacturing – Industrial Maintenance, HVAC, Precision Machining and Welding programs.
Kaleb Cooksey, a senior at Connally High School, said he wanted to participate in the field trip to learn more about TSTC and the programs offered. It was his first time on campus.
“I find it interesting seeing the switches and the big machines,” Cooksey said.
The Waco campus also hosted a Manufacturing Day event.
Manufacturing Week runs from Oct. 3-10 and is sponsored by the Manufacturing Institute.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.