Community leaders to experience TSTC’s environmental safety program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will showcase its Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program lab to the public on Thursday, May 5.

During the Lunch and Learn event, school and community leaders will learn more about the program and the state-of-the-art equipment that students are able to use. A catered lunch by Beehive Restaurant will be provided for participants.

Daniel Martin, TSTC’s director of student recruitment in West Texas, said the deadline to register for the event is Monday, May 2.

“We want people to see what this program is about and to showcase what our students are learning,” Martin said. “We want to invite the community to see this unique program we have available in Breckenridge.”

Following lunch, instructors will discuss the curriculum and need for inspectors statewide. Participants will participate in hands-on activities in the lab, Martin said.

TSTC has extended invitations to workforce and career services partners, as well as to military veteran representatives.

“This is a wonderful program many people do not know we offer,” Martin said. “This is our chance to showcase Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance to the Stephens County community and beyond.”

Students in the program have praised instructor Teresa Purcell and having the chance to take classes in Breckenridge. Students learn many different skills, including accident prevention, environmental regulations, industrial hygiene, safety program management and physical hazards control.

Student Raquel Rios said having the program in Breckenridge made it an easy decision to attend college. She hopes more people make it a career option.

“It’s sad that more people are not looking into this field,” she said. “There are so many jobs out there, and this is a great career to get into. I am happy I was able to find this program and will soon have a career.”

Purcell said students who complete the program have different career options.

“The skills and abilities that are taught in this program allow our graduates to obtain employment as a safety and environmental compliance coordinator or director over production, manufacturing and construction job sites,” she said.

Graduates will earn an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30-hour card, an OSHA general industry and construction card, and a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) card.

According to onetonline.org, Texas will continue to need occupational health and safety technicians for the next several years. By 2028, the website is forecasting a 16% increase for technicians around the state.

The Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program is also taught at the Fort Bend County and Waco campuses.

The Lunch and Learn event will be held at the TSTC Technology Center in Breckenridge. To register, visit tstc.edu/OSECLunch&Learn. 

Registration for the summer and fall semesters is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.