BIG SPRING Skillpoint Alliance is celebrating a new chapter in workforce development in Big Spring as the organization prepares to launch its first-ever pre-apprentice electrical training cohort in the community.
The nonprofit workforce development organization will host a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. at Howard College to mark the formation of the inaugural Big Spring cohort, whose students will begin four weeks of free, full-time electrical training at Howard College on October 5.
The event will also give members of the Big Spring community an opportunity to learn more about Skillpoint Alliance’s workforce training programs and how they can pursue a career in the skilled trades.
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring Skillpoint Alliance’s proven workforce training model to Big Spring,” Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said in a news release. “Our goal is to give people the skills, credentials, and support they need to take the next step toward a meaningful career.”
A New Opportunity for Big Spring
The October cohort represents the first time Skillpoint Alliance’s pre-apprentice electrical program will be offered in Big Spring. The four-week program is designed for individuals who want to enter the electrical trade but may not have previous experience or access to traditional career training, the release said.
The training is free to eligible participants and combines hands-on instruction with the workplace preparation needed to move into entry-level electrical careers.
According to Skillpoint Alliance, electrical workers are in demand throughout the Permian Basin, where growth in commercial and residential construction and the energy sector is creating opportunities for skilled workers. Skillpoint estimates that electrical graduates can begin earning an average of $18 per hour, with experienced electricians earning $25-$30 per hour or more.
The program includes:
- Hands-on electrical skills training
- Electrical safety instruction
- OSHA-10 safety certification
- Conduit bending
- Training with industry-specific tools and equipment
- Assistance obtaining the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electrical Apprentice License
- Support from Skillpoint staff in finding employment
The training is designed to be a starting point for a long-term career. Graduates can pursue apprenticeship opportunities where they can continue developing their skills while earning a paycheck.
Building a Workforce for the Permian Basin
The Big Spring expansion builds on Skillpoint Alliance’s established workforce-development throughout the Permian Basin. The organization expanded its pre-apprentice electrical and HVAC programs into the region in 2022 through partnerships with community colleges and the Permian Strategic Partnership. Since then, Skillpoint has brought its program to communities including Midland, Odessa, Fort Stockton, Monahans and Pecos in West Texas, as well as Hobbs, New Mexico The need for skilled workers continues to grow. Skillpoint Alliance reported in March that the Permian Basin workforce board projects the region will need nearly 22% more electricians by 2032, along with significant increases in demand for HVAC technicians and plumbers.
Community Invited to Learn More
While the ribbon-cutting celebrates the students who have formed the first Big Spring cohort, Skillpoint Alliance is encouraging anyone in the Big Spring community who is interested in the skilled trades to attend the celebration and learn more about future training opportunities.
The event will include an opportunity to learn about Skillpoint Alliance’s programs, the path to an electrical career, and how interested residents can get involved in future cohorts.
The first Big Spring electrical cohort begins October 5 and runs through October 30 at Howard College.
For more information about Skillpoint Alliance and its free workforce training programs, visit skillpointalliance.org.