Midland, TX—Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin—a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to underserved and under-accessed populations—announced their partnership with Midland College and Odessa College, in which it is offering its free pre-apprentice electrical program at the college campuses. The inaugural class at Midland College Advanced Technology Center took placein June 2022 and the first class at Odessa College took place in September.
“There are several occupations in West Texas that are in high demand, including electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians,” Blair Flanagan, the site director at Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin, said. “Our partnership with Midland and Odessa Colleges will allow us to provide resources to a larger number of residents in the area who are looking to improve their lives by obtaining meaningful careers in the skilled trades. The expansion into Odessa will double the capacity of our pre-apprentice electrical classes currently held at Midland College and, in the future, allow us to incorporate pre-apprentice plumbing and HVAC courses into our curriculum.
”The four-week pre-apprentice electrical class prepares students for work as entry-level electricians. The course covers electrical safety, hand tools, power tools, and the differences between residential and commercial employment job functions. Participants obtain their OSHA 10 certification during the program and will receive assistance to obtain their Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) Electrical Apprentice License.
Students who successfully complete the pre-apprentice electrical program also earn continuing education credits from Midland College. To date, 17 students have successfully completed the pre-apprentice electrical program
.“The collaboration with Skillpoint Alliance is proof that traditional institutions of higher education and workforce training programs can work together to offer better opportunities for our students,” Dr. Jennifer Myers, associate vice president of workforce education at Midland College, said. “Midland College is dedicated to helping students achieve success through workforce development and continuing education.
”The first pre-apprentice electrical class at Odessa College began on Sept. 19. The class is being held at the Odessa College main campus, and currently has 8 students completing the course.
“Odessa College is excited to collaborate with Skillpoint Alliance to offer these critical skills to meet the workforce needs of the Permian Basin and provide career advancing opportunities for the students in our community,” Dr. Tiffani Price, Associate Vice President for Adult, Continuing and Workforce Education at Odessa College, said. “This partnership expands the capacity of workforce training programs in our region, and Odessa College is committed and proud to provide workforce and professional skills development to contribute to the economic development in the Permian Basin.
”Skillpoint Alliance was first established in 1994 in Austin, TX when thenMayor, Bruce Todd, called upon the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Apprenticeships and Career Pathways for Austin to create a solution to the lack of apprenticeship and craft training in the City of Austin.Since then, Skillpoint Alliance has become the premier provider of workforce training in Central Texas.
“Skillpoint Alliance was created almost thirty years ago to meetthe critical need for skilled workers and rapid workforce development programs in the Austin area. Replicating our program in West Texas will provide an opportunity for members of the PermianBasin to find meaningful careers with great benefits and upward mobility within the skilled trades,” Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “We have been planning our expansion into West Texas for quite some time and we are grateful to the Permian Strategic Partnership for providing the initial funding, and to Midland College and Odessa College for housing our classes and playing an integral role in our expansion into the region.
”Skillpoint Alliance’s expansion into West Texas was made possible with support from the Permian Strategic Partnership(PSP). The PSP was created to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with federal, state, and local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce.
Initial funds to expand the program to the Permian Basin were provided through a grant allocated by the PSP. The training program has been funded through its first four years. After the grant period, the training program will have become an established part of the workforce ecosystem in the Permian Basin, and will self-fund through a mix of philanthropic, state and local dollars.
Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after time away, having experienced a previous hardship, or are looking to learn foundational skills that will set them on a new pathway to employment in a short amount of time.Interested parties can visit https://skillpointalliance.org/permian-basin/ for more information, including hiring details, about the training programs.
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About Skillpoint Alliance
Skillpoint Alliance is a 501(c)3 workforce development organization that provides in-demand workforce training to vulnerable members of the Central Texas community. The organization partners with local industry to offer unique professional training and educational opportunities at no cost to participants. Skillpoint Alliance was founded in 1994 and has since become the premier provider of rapid workforce training in the nine-county area in and around Austin. Skillpoint Alliance has been named one of the top ten job training programs in the country by Jobs for the Future and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Skillpoint Alliance works continuously to build strong partnerships with local businesses, foundations, community-based organizations, and government agencies in order to grow and support its mission of connecting low-income individuals with career pathways in growing local industries. In 2018, Skillpoint Alliance launched a redesigned and customized Pre-Apprentice Electrical class, followed by a Pre-Apprentice Plumbing program in 2019—and concurrently offers HVAC Technician training, Certified Production Technician, and various other short-term and customizable training options. www.skillpointalliance.org
About Permian Strategic Partnership
Permian Strategic Partnership aims to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce. The companies involved with the PSP will bring people, expertise, resources and leadership to develop solutions in partnership with local leaders and communities. Learn more at www.permianpartnership.org.
About Midland College
Midland College (MC), is a comprehensive public community college providing higher education, skills development, continuing education, community services and cultural enrichment to the Midland community. With online, hybrid and traditional face-to-face classes, Midland College provides the flexibility students need to complete their academic and career goals. MC is especially suited to helping students adapt to a changing labor market by being able to quickly provide training required by business and industry. The College often partners with local businesses and expeditiously develops continuing education courses in response to industry needs.
The main campus is situated in central Midland on over 200 acres and offers a range of academic programs, student services and activities, residence halls and dining services. Other Midland locations include the Advanced Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility focusing on introductory health sciences, applied technology and workforce continuing education programs; the Cogdell Learning Center, an outreach site for south and east Midland that also provides GED® and English as a Second Language classes;and the Petroleum Professional Development Center, which provides quality continuing education for the Permian Basin energy industries. Midland College’s branch campus is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Midland in the rural West Texas town of Fort Stockton.
Although MC offers three bachelor degrees, the college’s mission remains focused on community college objectives. Courses in the college’s academic programs transfer easily to four-year universities, and MC’s career and technical programs provide the skills necessary to enjoy a successful career. The excellent faculty and small student to teacher ratio of 17:1 ensures individualized attention in an environment that fosters student success.
About Odessa College
Odessa College (OC), chartered in 1946, celebrated its 75th Anniversary last year. With its main campus in Odessa, Texas, the college also maintains extension centers in Andrews, Monahans, and Pecos, Texas, annually enrolling over 11,000 students in college credit courses. Students can choose from over 120 degree and certificate courses of study in the areas of liberal arts and education, business and industry, STEM, and health sciences. The college also offers lifelong learning, workforce training, and personal enrichment programs through its Continuing Education department.
Two early college high schools, Odessa Collegiate Academy (OCA) and Odessa Career and Technical Early College High School (OCTECHS), are maintained onsite at the OC main campus. In addition, Odessa College is oneof only a very few community colleges authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to offer four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science (BAAS) degrees. The College will also offer the Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) degree beginning in Spring 2023.Odessa College is a certified Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS) and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).