CTE Month: Tour of Diesel Tech Facilities Underscores Demand in Industry
Justin Garza (left) presents an overview of the Diesel Technology Program to students with South Texas ISD’s Science Academy Feb. 24 at STC’s Technology Campus. The visit by students was the latest in a series of presentations by STC faculty as part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) month throughout February. The college will next welcome students to its Advanced Manufacturing Program March 4.
Demand for skilled workers in the diesel trucking industry is surging.
Leading young students through the various facilities at South Texas College’s Technology Campus, faculty with the college’s Diesel Technology Program say STC is working to fill a massive void for qualified technicians.
“Right now, the diesel industry is in a deficit,” said STC faculty Justin Garza, program coordinator for the Diesel Technology Program. “We need drivers, and in order for those drivers to complete their jobs they need those trucks on the road, and to do that we need technicians servicing those trucks. We partner with a lot of shops around the region, and every one of those shop managers has been telling us that they need technicians, they need parts, they need vehicles back on the road. It’s the same message everywhere. Their shops are full of work and they don’t have enough people to work on them.”
Trucking is a $791.7 billion industry that hauls 72.5 percent of all freight transported in the United States and employs about 6 percent of all full-time workers. An aging workforce however combined with recent surges in labor shortages has created a vacuum of around 80,000 truck drivers.
“STC is trying to fill that void with technicians and we’re trying to convey to the students that this career is not going away,” Garza said.
At least 17 students from South Texas ISD’s Science Academy arrived at STC’s Technology Campus Feb. 24 for the latest in a series of visits to promote engagement through an intensive day-long slate of hands-on activities.
Developed as a collaboration between the college’s Business, Public Safety and Technology Division along with Dual Credit Programs for Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, students were exposed to the numerous facilities at the college including automotive and diesel labs, and were briefed on diagnostic capabilities as well as basic repair procedures performed by those enrolled in the program.
"We partner with a lot of shops around the region, and every one of those shop managers has been telling us that they need technicians, they need parts, they need vehicles back on the road. It’s the same message everywhere. Their shops are full of work and they don’t have enough people to work on them.”
“It was important that we bring our students to South Texas College so they get a good overview of the programs here and what they may be exposed to,” said Jose Palacios, an instructor of automotive technology with South Texas ISD for the last 30 years.
Eric Gutierrez, principal at South Texas ISD Science Academy added, “Students at South Texas ISD Science Academy can earn Industry-based certifications such as the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Entry Level certification which they can immediately apply in the workforce. We are thankful to South Texas College for inviting our students to this week’s CTE Automotive and Diesel Technology Showcase. Our students were able to explore the various educational opportunities within this field and learn about how they may continue to gain valuable certifications, certificates, and degrees to further enhance their career opportunities.”
Throughout February, South Texas College is enabling students to freely explore Career and Technical Education as they begin to consider future careers.
CTE month is celebrated yearly as a way to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of programs that are tasked with preparing students for high-demand careers. At South Texas College, the Career and Technical Education Institute specializes in working with industry partners who then hire STC students once they graduate.
STC has Career and Technical Education events planned throughout February and into March. The college will next host high school students who will tour Advanced Manufacturing facilities on March 4.
“At South Texas College, we are committed to responding to the industry’s needs and the Automotive and Diesel Technology Programs are part of the demand that we have seen and are doing our best to address this,” said Sara Lozano, Dean of Business, Public Safety, and Technology. “There is a huge investment we’ve made in ensuring our students have the latest technology to train from. We will continue our efforts to bring in quality education and training to our community.”