TSTC honors Tesla START program graduates in ceremony

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Students of the Tesla START program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus were honored at their graduation ceremony held in the campus’s Brazos Center on Friday, Dec. 15.

The program is a collaboration between TSTC and Tesla START that offers an intensive 16-week electric vehicle service training program designed to equip students with the skills necessary for a successful career with Tesla.

Upon graduation, students who successfully complete the nationwide program are eligible to work at one of Tesla’s service centers across the country.

“I want to thank you for allowing me to teach you all,” Tommy Tran, a co-instructor of the program, said to the graduates and their families. “Congratulations, and best wishes for your future careers.”

Many of those graduating came from out of state, including places like Ohio and New York. Out of the 13 graduates, five were placed in jobs within the state of Texas. The rest were placed in locations across the country.

Michael Jay, one of the instructors in the program, spoke about some of the struggles that the students had encountered during the semester but said he was proud of them.

“You guys worked hard and pushed through,” Jay said. “We had open communication and overcame the challenges each of you faced.”

The students were excited and grateful for the program and all that they learned. Anthony Chibarirwe, valedictorian of the graduating class, expressed what he thought were the defining traits that led to their success.

“I think I can speak for us all when I say there were times that it felt like this moment would never come,” Chibarirwe said. “We each got here through persistence, tenacity and perseverance.”

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.