(RED OAK, Texas) – Some employees of Indiana-based Lippert Components Inc., which has locations in Texas, recently finished four weeks of workforce training at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus.
The 10-member cohort learned how to perform metal inert gas welding and flux core arc welding to test for 1G plate certification endorsed by the American Welding Society. Students also earned OSHA 10 certification and gained experience in measurements and computer-aided drafting print reading. The training was done through TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department.
“The employees are leaving with the skills and certification needed for them to excel and grow in their careers with Lippert,” said Adam Barber, TSTC’s executive director of Workforce Training and Continuing Education at the Marshall, North Texas, and Waco campuses. “All of the trainee feedback has been positive and confirmed that the program is needed.”
Seth Patten, of Flatonia, was recently hired as a welder at Lippert’s Ranch Hand division in Shiner.
He said learning new welding skills at TSTC was a great opportunity and that he liked the pace of the classes.
“I’ve always been a hands-on person and a visual learner,” Patten said.
Patten’s only welding experience before attending the training was two welding classes that he took as a student at Flatonia High School and some work that he did with his grandfather.
“I was surprised how easy I picked back up (on welding),” he said.
Marcos Tenorio, of Hallettsville, was also recently hired as a welder at Lippert’s Shiner facility.
Tenorio said he enjoyed the small class size and being able to talk to his instructor, Griffin Smith. Tenorio said he caught on easily to welding.
“I think it’s great,” Tenorio said. “It gives people another chance at life. I’m very excited. It’s another opportunity for me.”
Three cohorts have already gone through the specialized workforce training, with a fourth group from Lippert scheduled to start in October at the North Texas campus.
Barber said the training will soon be expanded to TSTC’s New Braunfels campus.
“It’s another example of an industry partner being proactive and recognizing the need to train and grow their in-house workforce,” he said. “By customizing the curriculum to meet their needs, it ensures that, upon completion, employees are equipped with the skills required to do their jobs at a very high level. It’s a training model that has proven to be successful time and time again.”
Lippert is a parts manufacturer for automobiles, recreational vehicles, watercraft, and prefabricated homes.
For more information on TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department, go to tstc.edu/workforcetraining.
