STC conduit for cutting-edge careers in manufacturing

South Texas College’s Advanced Manufacturing program kicked off a nationwide, month-long celebration of manufacturing careers, but with a regional flair.

The college’s 14th annual Manufacturing Day, which took place recently at STC’s Technology Campus, showcased the innovation and ingenuity of manufacturers by bringing together industry professionals, students and faculty to showcase the latest advancements, emerging technologies and collaborations they say is a hallmark of the Rio Grande Valley.

“Manufacturing Day is a celebration of our industry. We want to let everyone know about all the exciting things taking place within manufacturing and at the same time we want to come together with the community because collaboration is one of our strongest features,” said Mario Olivera, assistant chair with STC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology program. “It’s all about promoting careers in manufacturing and bringing opportunities to our students through networking, demonstrations and especially the facility tours that we have in the afternoon. This is where students can see what manufacturing is in the real world.”

STC together with the South Texas Manufacturers Association (STMA), an organization which represents at least 99 companies from across the region, hosted facility tours for more than 100 students from eight school districts, who were in attendance.

Tour sites included Stanley Black and Decker, Precison Mold and Tool, Zebra Technologies, Regal Rexnord, ECO Plastics, GE, Fox Packaging and IHC Suspension.

“Over the last 10 years, Manufacturing Day was created nationally to encourage the industry to promote itself and let people know what manufacturers do and who they are in communities as well as educating young people about career opportunities,” said Mike Willis, executive director with STMA. “Manufacturing Day is also about promoting training programs like the ones available at STC including our Robotics and Mechatronics program and Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) program, which were created by industry.  We have to be able to show, not only what we have, but what we are doing to create a pipeline. That’s what the programs at STC do.”

Edgar Turrubiates, who is currently employed with GE Aerospace as a special process engineer with the company’s Aviation division, said he began at STC as a dual credit student in 2006, and earned a certificate in Precision Manufacturing as a senior at Mission High School.

After earning years of experience in the industry, Turrubiates would become a full-time instructor within STC’s AMT program from 2012 to 2019.

“I remember the first time I saw the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program at a career fair at Mission High School, and I knew right then that I wanted to find a career in the industry,” said Turrubiates, who was among the industry representatives present at Manufacturing Day. “It really has come full circle for me. It’s a blessing to be here to meet with students because I know there is a lot of potential and there is also so much value to this program. That’s why the company I represent, GE Aerospace, is here. We see the local talent and we have a vested interest in seeing the community prosper.”

STC AMT student Felipe Sandoval said he recently retired from a career in sales and management and opted to enter STC this fall along with his son, Christopher. Together, they are working for their Robotics and Mechatronics Technology Certificate with the hopes of creating a robotics-based company, potentially offering assistance and troubleshooting services for local companies.

“While many students may be here with the goal to eventually find their career, I entered STC not necessarily because I needed a new career, but because I want to continue with a life-long commitment to learning,” said Sandoval. “I have been fortunate to work with many Fortune 100 companies during my time, so I know that this is a great opportunity to network with potential employers and just find out what’s available in the industry. It’s all about opportunities and I think it’s essential for the younger students who are here and who may not know completely what their future holds. STC, through events like these, is making it clearer to them about what’s ahead and that is so important.”