MCALLEN, Texas - South Texas College will host its 2nd Annual South Texas Apprenticeship Summit at its Pecan Campus in McAllen on Nov. 16.
The event takes place on that day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Student Union Building.
“Last year was a huge success,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, in a preview of this year’s summit.
“It’s such a new, novel, idea, an apprenticeship summit. Well, not new in the industry, but here in the Rio Grande Valley it is. To be utilizing other industries, outside of the traditional workforce ones, such as nursing now.”
Solis said this year’s summit will be a convening of many CEOs and organizations to learn more about how the apprenticeship model works.
STC has received grants from the Department of Labor to assist with the development of apprenticeship programs. However, he said that in order to sustain such programs, “we have to prove that there's demand and interest from the community and organizations.”
Asked why apprenticeships are important, Solis said: “It is important because it's such a new opportunity, especially now in today's educational realm. Students want quicker and faster opportunities to get into the workforce. And more importantly, students now have so many options. There's such a lot of distraction on which career path to take. This is one way for students to get exposed to immediate entry into an area in the short term, and then they can continue their education towards an associate's and eventually a bachelor's degree.”
Solis acknowledged that the apprenticeship model has not been strong in the Valley before now.
“It is such a new concept here, although it's been around for over a century in other parts of the country, and especially in Europe, especially in the trades, such as plumbing, electrical, where it started, and in automotive. But now we're transitioning. We are using it in the culinary arts, in advanced manufacturing, and, of course, in nursing and health.”
Solis added: “This is a way to get students compensated while they are still students. What an opportunity and then at the same time, industry is able to offer their facilities to allow students to come in and learn and they get the opportunity to select and hire them on the spot when they finish their certifications or degrees.”
Carlos L. Margo, dean of industrial training and economic development at STC, said the college is thrilled to be hosting the 2nd Annual Apprenticeship Summit.
“We had a very successful 1st Annual Apprenticeship Summit last year and we're looking to compound on that this second year because it was very productive, very enlightening to a lot of the audience members last year.”
Margo said STC is bringing in a couple of new speakers for this year’s event, plus restating key information that was presented last year but that is still relevant today.
“We're looking to have an even bigger attendance this year than last year.”
Like Solis, Margo acknowledged that, historically, the Valley has not been strong on apprenticeships. But, he said, that is changing.
“We're trying to do it one employer at a time. Obviously, without a strong employer who hires these apprentices, a registered apprenticeship will not exist. So it's all about working very diligently in trying to recruit as many industrial employers as possible. And that's the key. And that's why we work closely with our partners in the economic development organizations, Workforce Solutions, and the Texas Workforce Commission.”
Margo added: “We encourage everybody to attend. We look forward to hosting another great summit with great information.”
Editor's Note: Here are some of the Rio Grande Guardian’s previous stories on South Texas College’s commitment to apprenticeships:
August 2023:
STC winning national plaudits for its first-of-a-kind Nursing Apprenticeship Program
Click here to read the story.
August 2023:
Audio: How South Texas College became a leader in apprenticeship programs
Click here to read the story.
Nov. 2022:
Alvarez praises union-run apprenticeship programs
Click here to read the story.
Nov. 2022:
Video: STC president promises more apprenticeship programs
Click here to read the story.
Sept. 2022:
Abbott praises STC’s apprenticeship programs
Click here to read the story.
Sept. 2022:
Video: Alvarez: STC will soon be offering a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship in nursing
Click here to read the story.
Dec. 2018:
TWC awards STC nearly $200,000 for adult and youth apprenticeships
Click here to read the story.
Oct. 2018:
STC becomes an official Department of Labor apprenticeship sponsor
Click here to read the story.
March 2018:
STC to develop apprenticeship programs, starting with manufacturing sector
Click here to read the story.
