San Jacinto College announces new short-term manufacturing courses

San Jacinto College's Continuing and Professional Development division has developed several short-term courses to assist those looking to work in the manufacturing industry.

The courses are designed to help students learn more specific skill sets as employers in the manufacturing industry narrow down the skills they look for when considering new hires.

"I talk to a lot applicants who don't even know the skills it takes to work at our company," said James Dees in a press release. Dees is a senior staffing specialist with KBR, LLC, which has 27,000 employees worldwide. "We definitely need more electricians and instrument fitters. I wish I could take the time to train new hires myself, but there are too many people and not enough of me."

The new short-term courses were developed using a High Growth and Emerging Industries grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Through the courses, potential workers gain training for computer numerical control, programmable logic controller and industrial automation technician positions. Courses range from one to eight weeks, and tuition assistance is available.

According to the release, a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study ranks Texas within the top five states with the highest employment level for machinists. Since June, 52 people training in CNC, PLC or IAT courses with San Jacinto College have been placed at companies needing skilled workers.

"Every course we offer provides training in technical skills requested by local industry," said Ellen Bay, the HGEI grant project director with CPD, in the release. "Our goal is to have these students job-ready and connect them to the companies that have requested these specific skill sets."

Training courses in CNC, PLC and IAT are offered at the college's Maritime and Technical Training Center, located at 3234 Pasadena Freeway in Pasadena.

For more information about the courses or to enroll, call 281-501-0021 or email ellen.bay@sjcd.edu.

For more information about San Jacinto College and programs, call 281-998-6150 or visit www.sanjac.edu.