The training series will officially kick off with an educational workshop on April 22, 2026, hosted at the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce. The session will focus on helping small businesses access available funding to train their employees, while also introducing leadership and operational growth strategies that will be expanded throughout the series.��

The program is open to:

• Small business owners
• Supervisors and managers
• Front-line staff
• Human resources and operations personnel

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51���� (TSC) is moving forward with plans to expand its campus footprint to South Padre Island with the development of a new Workforce Training Center designed to meet the growing labor demands of Cameron County and the greater Rio Grande Valley.

Chairwoman Adela Garza, Trustee Edward Camarillo, and TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez recently returned from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) conference in Washington, D.C., where they connected with Senator John Cornyn as well as met with Congressman Vicente Gonzalez to discuss federal priorities affecting community colleges. During the meeting, the Congressman encouraged college leadership to submit a $1 million proposal to support the transformation of a South Padre Island facility into an operational Workforce Training Center.

“The proposed site, located adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard station on South Padre Island, will be developed as the second TSC Workforce Training Center in Cameron County,” said Chairwoman Garza. “Being an active member of the ACCT and the Hispanic Caucus Committee allows us to bring a voice to the educational and training needs in our community. This is a significant step toward creating a path for additional careers in the Rio Grande Valley.”

According to TSC leadership, the expansion comes at a critical time. Rapid industry growth across Cameron County is creating workforce shortages in high-demand fields.

“In recent years, with the rapid expansion of industries in Cameron County, there has been a need for more workforce training,” said President Rodriguez. “Right now, jobs such as pipefitting, welding and a variety of jobs in the healthcare industry are in great demand, and we are in a good position to bring in students, train them quickly, and help them with a job upon completion of their training”.

The Association of Community College Trustees hosts one of the most significant professional development events for community college leaders nationwide. The conference provides legislative updates, strategic sessions addressing workforce development, student success initiatives, economic mobility, and regional industry partnerships.

“If approved, the TSC South Padre Island Workforce Training Center would expand access to industry-aligned training programs while strengthening TSC’s role as a workforce engine for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Trustee Camarillo.

51���� (TSC) welcomed more than 900 high school students from across the Rio Grande Valley to its ITEC Center for the 23rd Annual Education & Career Expo, an event designed to connect students with hands-on training, industry certifications, and high-demand career pathways.

Held in partnership with RGV LEAD, the annual expo highlighted TSC’s role as the region’s workforce training hub. Throughout the day, students explored career and technical education programs, toured labs, met instructors, and participated in interactive demonstrations to better understand postsecondary opportunities available after high school.

“This event allows students to see that a four-year university isn’t the only pathway to success,” said Dr. Angelica Fuentes, Associate Vice President for Workforce Training and Continuing Education at TSC. “Some students are looking for fast-track programs that take just weeks, while others prefer one-year certificates. At TSC, our programs are stackable — students can enter the workforce, gain experience, and return later to continue building their credentials and advancing their careers.”

Among the programs featured was TSC’s NCCER Level 1 and Level 2 Pipefitting program, which prepares students to install, assemble, fabricate, and maintain piping systems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. With continued economic growth at the Port of Brownsville and throughout the region, demand for skilled pipefitters remains high. Students can complete training in as little as 160 hours and move directly into high-paying careers.

The Electrical Technician program also drew significant interest. This 14-week, fast-paced course provides foundational training in residential and commercial electrical work. Students gain experience using the electrical codebook and earn OSHA 10 certification, preparing them to begin work as apprentices and progress toward journeyman and master electrician status.

In addition, TSC highlighted its newest milestone — the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Organizational Management, the College’s first bachelor’s degree program. The versatile degree serves both technical and academic students and supports career advancement in leadership, project management, and business operations, while also preparing graduates for graduate-level study.

By bringing together students, educators, and workforce leaders, the 23rd Annual Education & Career Expo demonstrated 51����’s continued commitment to workforce readiness, economic development, and accessible educational pathways for the Rio Grande Valley.

A group of 51���� students is moving one step closer to careers in high-demand technical fields after earning industry-recognized certifications through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA). The achievement highlights both the strength of TSC’s Electro-Mechanical Technician program and the growing opportunities available to students trained in automation, mechanics, and advanced industrial systems.

For students like Jesus Lopez, Manuel Lopez, Eric Saavedra, Odalys Contreras, Mario Davila, and Diego Garcia, earning their SACA credentials marks an important milestone. Each completed certifications in Programmable Controller Systems 1, Hydraulic Systems 1, and Electric Motor Control Systems 1, demonstrating mastery of essential competencies valued across a broad range of technical fields.

The Electro-Mechanical Technician program provides an introduction to complex electronic and mechanical systems, preparing students to troubleshoot and repair equipment used across modern industries. Electro-Mechanical Trainer Eutiquio Calderon explained that the program equips students with foundational skills in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), hydraulic and pneumatic systems, motor control systems, wiring and schematic interpretation, and general equipment troubleshooting.

“These students learn how to apply PLC principles, operate and maintain hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and build and troubleshoot motor controls,” Calderon said. “By the end of the course, they’re able to interpret diagrams and resolve issues in electro-mechanical equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety.”

Training begins with PLC programming, where students use laptops and dedicated PLC equipment to explore ladder logic, equipment interfacing, and real-world troubleshooting scenarios. From there, they complete 10 hands-on labs in hydraulics and pneumatics using training systems designed to walk them step-by-step through control valves, fluid power assemblies, and system operation. The course concludes with motor control training, allowing students to build electrical circuits and diagnose system failures using industry-standard equipment.

This technical foundation directly prepares students for SACA certification, which is widely recognized by employers seeking workers skilled in Industry 4.0 technologies. SACA, a nonprofit organization, develops modular certifications aligned with international skill standards and validated through hands-on evaluations and online, proctored testing. Certifications are reviewed annually to ensure they remain current with evolving industry practices.

“These credentials help students show employers that they have real, tested skills,” Calderon said. “Industry partners know what SACA represents, and they know these students can apply what they’ve learned.”

Graduates of the program are well-positioned to enter careers in renewable energy, food and product processing, general manufacturing, and the oil and gas sector. Calderon explained that demand for skilled electro-mechanical technicians is high across the state and nationwide, with many opportunities requiring relocation to North Texas or other parts of the country. To support students in their job search, he has already begun developing a list of industry contacts who are eager to review resumes from TSC graduates.

Students who complete the Electro-Mechanical Technician program can also earn an Occupational Skills Award, adding another credential to their résumés. Combined with their SACA certifications, students leave the program with strong technical preparation and industry-recognized proof of their abilities.

As industries continue to rely on automated systems, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies, programs like TSC’s play a vital role in building the region’s technical workforce. With hands-on training, rigorous certification opportunities, and committed instructors, students gain both the skills and confidence needed to pursue meaningful careers.

Security First Credit Union, in partnership with 51���� (TSC), officially launched the Fall 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship Banking Program for Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) high school seniors on September 8, 2025. The program began with a check presentation at Security First Credit Union’s Price Road branch in Brownsville, followed by the first classroom session led by Andy Reed, President and CEO of Security First Credit Union.

The innovative 11-week program is designed to prepare students for apprenticeships or entry-level positions in the credit union and banking industry. This semester’s cohort comprises six eager students from Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Hannah Early College High School, and Lopez Early College High School, with plans to expand to a roster of 20 for future iterations of the program.

Participants will receive classroom instruction from Security First Credit Union’s executive leadership team and department representatives, gaining financial fundamentals, hands-on experience, and industry insight. Over the course of the program, the students will split their pre-apprenticeship experience between Security First Credit Union and Texas Regional Bank sites, gaining exposure to multiple perspectives within the financial services sector.

At the end of the 11 weeks, each student will earn a trio of certificates of completion from 51����, Security First Credit Union, and Texas Regional Bank, giving them valuable early credentials which they can cite as they continue working toward their future careers.

Speaking about the importance of the program, Andy Reed, President and CEO of Security First Credit Union, emphasized the credit union’s commitment to empowering the next generation.

“At Security First Credit Union, we believe in more than just financial services; we believe in building futures,” Reed said. “Our executive team is honored to take part in these students’ educational journey by sharing real-world experiences and knowledge to help guide the next generation of leaders in the Rio Grande Valley.”

From the college’s perspective, the program also reflects TSC’s mission of connecting education with opportunity. Richard Mesquias, TSC Vice President of External Relations and Workforce Development, highlighted how the partnership provides a bridge between classroom learning and real-world application.

“At 51����, we are dedicated to creating pathways that connect students to meaningful opportunities,” Mesquias said. “Through this partnership with Security First Credit Union, BISD students will gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and explore the banking industry before graduating high school. Together with our community partners, we are preparing students to step confidently into a bright and successful future.”

51���� (TSC) is opening the doors to new career opportunities with its Fall 2025 Workforce Training and Education Center schedule. ��

These short-term, affordable training programs provide students with classroom instruction and hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, equipping them with the practical skills needed to earn credentials that are recognized by employers statewide and quickly enter today’s most in-demand industries.��

“51���� is committed to providing career-focused training that meets the needs of our community and local employers,” said Ricardo Treviño, WTCE Director of Industry Relations and Outreach. “This fall’s schedule offers students multiple opportunities to launch new careers in healthcare, industry, technology, and public service.”��

“At 51����, workforce training programs are designed with students’ success in mind,” said Treviño. “These short-term courses provide a fast track to career entry, combining hands-on training led by industry professionals with flexible schedules tailored for working adults.”����

With affordable tuition and financial assistance options, students can gain valuable skills without financial strain. Each program also offers direct pathways to certification and employment, ensuring graduates are ready to step confidently into the workforce.��Many of the programs also have scholarships available for those who can demonstrate financial need and recent high school graduates.

Those interested in applying can visit online at tsc.edu/workforce, contact Julio Diaz at (956) 295-3498, or visit the main office at the TSC ITEC Center located at 301 Mexico Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78520.