We all need shelter, electricity, and transportation, and as long as the needs are there, jobs will be available. That is Dr. J.D. Taliaferro’s motto for those training in Applied Technologies and Trades at San Jacinto College.
“Everyone has woken up and realized that the craft trade areas provide lucrative careers,” said Dr. Taliaferro, director of Applied Technologies and Trades. “I think we’ve come full circle, finally debunking the stigma of these jobs because they are a part of the whole economic model.”
Throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region, a 39 percent job growth is anticipated by 2020 for carpenters, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. A 29 percent job growth is projected for pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Other occupations, such as electricians, welders, and contractor laborers, will also experience a significant increase.
The Applied Technologies and Trades program in the San Jacinto College Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) division offers a wealth of courses in the areas of welding, machining, electrical, non-destructive testing, pipefitting, engineering design graphics, commercial truck driving, diesel technology, automotive technology, and air conditioning repair.
“We offer just about everything in craft trades, and we’re definitely exploring fast track training,” said Taliaferro. “We want you to go through some training and earn a living as soon as possible. We also understand many people who already have jobs need training to move up and increase their pay.”
That is what Rudy Contreras is doing by taking his sixth welding course at San Jacinto College. Contreras began welding as a dual credit student at the Energized for STEM Academy. Upon graduation, he began working as a full-time welder. However, training opens the doors for a promotion.
“Taking more welding courses can lead to a promotion,” said Contreras. “I keep training because I’m looking to move up and use different techniques on the job.”
Pipefitting student Robert Garza is looking for a career change as a pipefitter after learning of local job openings. Garza is particularly interested in working in the oil and gas industry, as many pipefitters are needed to replace pipes due to chemical erosion.
“I have been out of school for 25 years, and the noncredit four-week basic pipefitting course works for me and my schedule,” said Garza, who works during the day at a hardware store. “Pipefitting is great for people like myself who enjoy working with tools. I am also the type who loves to keep moving, and that is what this is all about.”
For those who are looking to find out more information about the various craft trades before training in one specific area, the College developed the Helper Plus program. Participants complete an 80-hour Introduction to Craft Skills course that include modules such as general workplace skills, basic safety communications, occupational math and blueprint reading, introduction to hand and power tools, scaffolding and rigging, introduction to pipefitting, welding fundamentals, basic electrical, and sheet metal.
Upon completion, they’ll continue their training by way of a follow-up specialty course in electrical, commercial wiring methods; pipefitting, fundamentals of pipe fabrication; sheet metal, an introduction to the materials, tools and techniques used in the sheet metal industry; or welding, an introduction to the fundamentals of equipment used in oxy-fuel and arc welding.
Jeannie Peng-Armao
About the Continuing and Professional Development division
This noncredit division of the College provides training for both current and future employees in the professional and technical job sectors, as well as provides participants with open enrollment course options to enhance their lives. Professional and technical training is available through contract training, open enrollment and grant funding. For more information, call 281-476-1838.