BLINN & TEEX INTRODUCE JOB TRAINING BOOT CAMPS

  

Camps quickly train workers for entry-level positions as carpentry, electrical, facilities maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, and welding assistants

Blinn College and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) are expanding their local workforce training course offerings with a full slate of boot camps designed to quickly train skilled workers for entry-level positions as carpentry, electrical, facilities maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, and welding assistants.

Each of these accelerated, competency-based camps will be offered at the RELLIS Campus with the exception of welding, which will be offered at Blinn’s Highway 60 Workforce Training Center.

“These are hands-on boot camps that allow students to gain entry-level knowledge about a trade very quickly,” said Jay Anderson, Blinn College Dean of Technical and Community Programs. “Everyone who successfully completes the course will be qualified for an entry-level position.”

All camps include instruction in English and Spanish, and scholarships may be available through Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley. To see if you qualify, call 979-595-2800 and schedule an appointment with a Workforce Solutions counselor.

Students who successfully complete one of the 144-hour boot camps can earn the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification, the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Certificate, and certificates from both Blinn College and TEEX. The NCCER certification is nationally recognized, qualifying students for jobs across the nation.

Students who complete the 80-hour courses earn certificates from Blinn and TEEX and the OSHA 10 credential.

The facility technician boot camps familiarize students with basic facility maintenance knowledge and building code while providing entry-level carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical skills. The course provides an overview of each trade while emphasizing the role of the facilities staff and importance of safe work practices.

The carpentry boot camps explain floor and wall systems, ceiling and roof framing, stair layout, window and door installation, and understanding specification and drawings.

The plumbing boot camps teach students to identify and interpret civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical drawings. Students learn to confirm accurate dimensions, generate Requests for Information (ROIs), locate plumbing entry points, and establish piping routes and fixture locations.

The electrical assistant boot camp covers electrical safety, apprenticeships, training programs, and career opportunities, as well as the responsibilities and characteristics an electrical helper should possess. Students are introduced to circuits, electrical theory, the National Electric Code, device boxes, and raceways and fittings.

The HVAC boot camps provide a broad introduction to the world of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technician. Students learn basic operational principles of HVAC systems, and are introduced to technician licensing and trade-governing regulations. Students learn about trade math, air distribution systems, piping practices, and soldering and brazing.

Blinn’s technical and community education courses are designed to provide students the knowledge and abilities they need to enter the workforce immediately after completion of the courses. Many of these courses do not require a high school diploma and enrollment is fast and easy. As most of these courses are non-credit, students do not need to go through the College’s admission process to enroll. Programs vary in length and are offered with daytime, evening, and weekend options.

Registration forms can be obtained at www.blinn.edu/workforce/student-registration-form.pdf and submitted to workforce@blinn.edu or in person at Blinn’s Post Office Campus located at 301 Post Office Street in Bryan. For questions or additional information, email workforce@blinn.edu or call 979-209-7205.

(COURTESY: Elizabeth Kamenicky, Blinn College)