TSTC Precision Machining Technology program prepares students for East Texas jobs

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Night owls who are good at math and excited about programming and technology are needed to fill machining jobs in East Texas.

“Some companies are just looking for a well-rounded individual to work for them,” said Danny Nixon, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Marshall. “One day you are machining a part, the next you are actually assembling the end product, inspecting the end product, testing the product, or getting the shop and machine set up for the next product. It is not just about cutting metal anymore.”

TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program is taught in the evenings to accommodate students who work during the day, or those who just prefer to take classes after the sun sets.

“It is a portable skill set that graduates can use to find employment basically anywhere in the state of Texas due to the demand,” said Nathan Cleveland, TSTC’s associate provost in Marshall.

Remtex in Longview and Republic Elite in Marshall are some of the area companies that have recently hired program graduates, according to information from TSTC’s Career Services department.

The East Texas Council of Government’s 14-county service area had more than 4,900 workers in machining-related occupations in the first quarter of 2021. The workers include brazers, cutters, machinists, solderers, team assemblers and welders.

Machinists in the ETCOG’s service area made an average annual wage of $44,400 in the first quarter of 2021.

TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program in Marshall offers an associate degree, a certificate and an occupational skills award.

Registration continues for the fall semester, with scholarships available. For more information, go to tstc.edu.