EIGHT STUDENTS EARN CERTIFICATION FROM BLINN COLLEGE
Eight students earn their Navasota Industrial Boot Camp certification from Blinn College
Program was the product of a unique partnership between Blinn, the City of Navasota, and Workforce Solutions
Eight students recently received their Navasota Industrial Boot Camp certificates as part of a unique partnership between Blinn College, the City of Navasota, and Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley that brought the industrial skills training course to Grimes County.
Ulises Martinez, Imelda Calvo, Haley Potter, Marquise Muniz, Antonio Maldonado, Jesus Guzman, Oran Isaiah, and Miguel Ponce earned their certificates after completing the 40-hour program at the Navasota Center. Graduates also earned a national first aid/CPR/AED credential and their U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration 10-hour general industry certification.
“Classes such as this provide training that participants need to get hired at a local company, so it is good for the student, good for the company, and good for the community,” said Johnny McNally, Navasota-Grimes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “It is our desire to see these students get hired by a local company. When they have this sort of skill set, there is no telling where this initial start can lead them.”
The course was designed after Blinn, Navasota, and Grimes County officials formed the Navasota Workforce Committee to develop and deliver industry-directed training that will provide quality candidates for industrial partners.
“This course can launch an individual into an entirely new high-wage career,” said Jay Anderson, Dean of Blinn College’s Technical and Community Programs.
The $435 program included 40 hours of lessons on workplace skills, technical/blueprint reading, an introduction to quality production, technical mathematics/measurement, critical skills for success, and an introduction to workplace computer skills. The class met at the Navasota Center every Monday and Thursday night, Feb. 5 to March 8.
While Blinn provided industrial training, Workforce Solutions provided job skills training, teaching students to draft strong resumes and complete successful job interviews.
“The course not only was informative, but getting the certificate has given me a lot more confidence to find a job,” Muniz said. “I also gained knowledge that will help me on my application, resume, and interviews.”
Workforce Solutions sponsors each student through Workforce Investment Act youth training funds. The program is open to income-eligible students. Workforce Solutions also helps students obtain jobs.
“These graduates will be a higher quality entry-level applicant,” said David Yeager, Director of Blinn College’s A.W. Hodde Jr. Technical Education Center. “There are more job openings than there are graduates, so we look forward to growing the program and providing the City of Navasota with even more quality applicants.”
Blinn’s Division of Technical and Community Programs offers non-credit classes designed to fulfill the training needs of individuals, businesses, and industry. For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.
(Courtesy: Richard Bray, Blinn Infromation)