(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For the first time since the Diesel Equipment program launched this fall at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, students had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Kiewit Corp. and discover how their growing skills align with the company’s needs during a recent employer spotlight.
Members of Kiewit, a leading construction and engineering organization that operates in the United States, Canada and Mexico, spoke with students about the company’s history, career opportunities and how their future roles could support the company’s projects after graduation.
“The amount of work we have, especially in Texas, requires us to seek out partnerships with the best diesel equipment programs,” said Carlos Gabriel Cambrelen, a workforce development manager at Kiewit. “TSTC students should embrace every opportunity to learn, be ready to go where the work takes them, collaborate as team players and put their training into action.”
Juan Pena, a Diesel Equipment instructor, said the students were excited to welcome Kiewit.
“This event allowed our students to visualize how their lab projects such as engine overhauls and troubleshooting electrical circuits, prepare them for entry-level jobs,” he said.
Kiewit’s presentation left a strong impression on some of the Harlingen students.
Destiney Casanova, who is pursuing an associate degree, was eager to learn that her future career could involve working on heavy-duty trucks and traveling.
“It’s great that Kiewit values programs such as ours at TSTC because of the quality education and training we receive,” the Harlingen native said.
Rogelio Cerda, also of Harlingen, did not realize the range of job opportunities available for the students.
“I would like to make a name for myself and show employers that I’m serious about becoming a diesel equipment technician,” he said.
Cambrelen offered some advice to the students before the presentation concluded.
“It’s a career, not a job, that we offer at Kiewit,” he said. “We will develop you into the best diesel equipment mechanic if you’re willing to adventure out of your comfort zone.”
According to onetonline.org, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists in Texas earn a median salary of $57,870 a year. The website projected that there would be a 13% increase in the number of such jobs in the state from 2022 to 2032.
For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.