Midland, TX—Skillpoint Alliance—a Central Texas 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to lower-income, underserved and under-accessed populations—announced today that, with support from the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP), it is expanding its services to the Permian Basin in 2022. Skillpoint Permian Basin will offer rapid training programs in Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing, among others, to Permian Basin communities in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, with programming launched by the end of 2022.
Recent studies show that by 2025, continued industry growth and a shift towards a residential rather than rotational workforce in the Basin will require 50,000 more workers—roughly half needed in the energy industry— to meet the needs across the local and regional economy. There are several occupations in the region that are considered to be in high demand, including electricians with a 22% growth through 2028; plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with a 20% growth through 2028; and HVAC mechanics and installers with a 19% growth through 2028.
“Skillpoint Alliance is excited to partner with the Permian Strategic Partnership to expand our programs that produce skilled professionals for some of the country’s fastest-growing industries, including the energy industry, to West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico,” said Kevin Brackmeyer, executive director of Skillpoint Alliance. “There is a critical need for experienced labor in the skilled trades in the region, as well as a need for programs that focus on rapid workforce development and employability skill-building. Skillpoint training is a starting point that can lead to on-the-job training or additional education opportunities with one of the Permian Basin’s community colleges.”
Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after time away, have 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.
“Skillpoint Alliance will fill a critical workforce need in the Permian Basin. Foundational knowledge in the skilled trades will allow those who are not currently engaged in the workforce to prepare for successful employment within the energy industry or with other companies that support the robust economy of the Permian Basin. The PSP saw a great need to identify those people who want to work but may need some skill-building to be successful. We look forward to seeing the success stories that Skillpoint Alliance will produce as part of this initiative,” said Tracee Bentley, CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership.
As a first phase of its expansion into the Permian Basin, Skillpoint Alliance will be working to secure its office and training locations and hire key personnel by July. Positions include a Permian Basin Program Lead, office staff, class instructors and a rural programming coordinator.
“Skillpoint Alliance is thankful to the Permian Strategic Partnership for the opportunity to provide the Permian Basin with rapid workforce education and training in industries that are vital to economic prosperity,” said Melanie Flowers, chair of the board of directors at Skillpoint Alliance. “The programs are free to all participants, and we are excited to not only train new professionals, but also to provide reliable and skilled employees to local companies in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.”
Initial funds to expand the program to the Permian Basin will be 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.
Interested parties can visit www.skillpointalliance.org 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 The Permian Strategic Partnership
The 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.