WACO – More than 20 career and education counselors and teachers throughout Texas learned about technical careers at Texas State Technical College’s TECHcelerate conference held July 11, through July 13, at the Waco campus.
Zachary Gibson, a business teacher and head soccer coach at Taylor High School, said attending the conference gave him a better grasp of how to explain to his students the options they have after graduation.
“They (TSTC) have a lot of really cool cutting-edge stuff that not all of the trade schools have,” Gibson said. “This is something that could be a great opportunity, especially when you talk to students who are from disadvantaged areas.”
Gibson said he enjoyed learning about the Precision Machining Technology and the Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology programs, and seeing the equipment students use.
Attendees got hands-on experience in some of TSTC’s programs, including Building Construction Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology. Participants made cutting boards, tied knots, created ink pens and tried out their newly discovered welding skills.
“We showed them everything that we do and all the processes in welding and what it takes to get things going on the right track for the students to learn,” said Carl Wilmeth, an instructor in TSTC’s Welding Technology program.
The conference’s purpose was to show how TSTC fits into building a strong workforce in Texas.
“I think it was amazing,” said Kadie Svrcek, TSTC’s executive director of dual enrollment. “They all seemed to love it very much.”
