Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) and Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) learned about the importance of Texas State Technical College to the state’s workforce during a tour of TSTC’s Brownwood campus on Monday, October 3.
It was the first time that the state legislators had toured the campus.
“I am impressed with the relationship TSTC has with the industries and that the programs offered are industry-driven,” King said. Spiller agreed.
“I am very impressed not only with the programs in place, but with the students TSTC is producing in our workforce,” he said.
During the tour, members of TSTC’s West Texas administrative team, including Provost Andy Weaver, discussed the programs available in Brownwood.
Both King and Spiller said TSTC’s mission to place more Texans in high-paying jobs is being heard throughout the state.
“What is amazing to me is TSTC is finding out what the workforce needs and very quickly responding to that need,” King said.
Spiller said TSTC is supplying quality employees for the state.
“TSTC is driven by results and what we need in the state of Texas,” he said. “It is critical to provide these types of opportunities in order for people to go to work.”
The legislators toured the Emergency Medical Services Immersive Interactive lab and talked to first-year students studying to become emergency medical technicians. They also viewed the Computer Networking and Systems Administration lab, which is now under the performance-based education model.
Weaver explained the importance of performance-based education, which allows students to work with an enrollment coach to develop a schedule in two-hour time blocks. Lectures, videos and other learning content is on Canvas, a learning management system. Instructors also do mini-lectures during the day, with tests being demonstration-based, online or written.
The final stop of the tour was the Welding Technology lab, where King and Spiller watched as students demonstrated what they have learned so far this semester.
“We were excited to have Reps. King and Spiller visit our campus and offer their support for the community,” said Raquel Mata, TSTC’s associate provost for the Brownwood campus. “We were able to showcase the programs we offer, and it was great to see them interact with our instructors and students.”
Weaver said it is important to share TSTC’s mission with lawmakers, especially when they take the time to visit a local campus.
“Brownwood is blessed to have Rep. King and Rep. Spiller share their interest in the community,” he said. “TSTC is proud to showcase how we serve not only our local industries but the entire state of Texas to the people who make decisions.”