School-to-Work

School-to-Work Partnerships with Region V High Schools

In Southeast Texas’ the petro-chemical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, many are calling it the “Second Spindletop”, and with this growth, comes opportunities for our young people to get great paying jobs!  Therefore, through the dedication, financial support, and direction of the Associated Builders & Contractors Construction Training Center’s (“ABC-CTC”) Board of Trustees, as well as the many petro-chemical facilities located throughout Southeast Texas, monies have been budgeted to help fund and assist the approximately 30 high school Vo-Tech programs in the Region V Educational System.  “Build it, they will Come.  Train them, they will Stay”.

ABC-CTC’s goal is to have high school graduates leave school with approx. 1-2 years NCCER craft training and certification.  These various School-to-Work programs have been well received, especially since it’s at no cost to the school districts and offers students additional credentials and skills.  By implementing new industrial craft training programs in the high schools (i.e., Pipefitting, Welding, Carpentry, Scaffold Builder, Electrical, Millwright and Core), ABC-CTC is not only helping give the graduates an edge on their employability, but is also insuring that Southeast Texas will have a trained workforce to maintain these petro-chemical facilities for years to come.  Young people will be able to enter the workforce above the normal entry level position, and continue their education at night, at the ABC-CTC located at 2700 North Twin City Highway in Nederland, Texas. 

To accomplish this goal, ABC-CTC’s commitment is to provide each school with the needed educational materials (i.e., NCCER textbooks, shop tools, hand tools, materials and consumables).  ABC-CTC has also hired a School-to-Work Coordinator to monitor and oversee each of the schools on a routine basis throughout the school year.  The Coordinator will not only consult and assist the teachers with the program, but he’ll also be a liaison between ABC, the contractors and industry.  Additionally, as in years past, ABC-CTC will continue to, i) participate in career fairs and seminars; ii) host welding competitions for the Vo-Tech programs; and iii) offer scholarships to qualified high school graduates to attend ABC-CTC.  For more information contact ABC’s STW Coordinator, Casey Zimmerman, at (409) 724-7886 or czimmerman@abcsetx.org.

Click here to view pictures from the Annual Region 5 Vo-Ag Welding Competition held on May 9th at ABC. This event was sponsored by:

• Orangefield High School Vo-Ag Booster Club
• ABC-SETX Training Center
• Coastal Welding Supply
• Southeast Texas Industrial Services