Northeast Texas Community College was pleased to host Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño, III, of the Texas Workforce Commission, for an area visit last week. The day began with a stop at Newly Weds Foods in Mount Pleasant. George Winchester, Newly Weds Food Mount Pleasant Plant Manager, led a tour of their facilities.
“The partnership between community colleges and employers is essential in supporting training programs needed to expand technical knowledge and earning potential for workers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “I enjoyed learning firsthand about Newly Weds Foods and touring NTCC. This grant will help to continue community collaboration to increase the workforce pipeline in Northeast Texas.”
Newly Weds Foods is recognized as the premier global purveyor of customized breaders, batters, seasonings, sauces, and functional ingredients. They consistently partner with NTCC for a variety of workforce training initiatives. Most recently, the Texas Workforce Commission provided a $193,272 grant to strengthen the training partnership.
“Newly Weds Foods is an excellent example of how NTCC works with local business and industry to identify training needs and seek out grant funding to help make it possible. We are thankful for their friendship and partnership,” Jimmy Smith, NTCC Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Training, said. “It was a great experience to tour the Newly Weds Foods facility with Commissioner Treviño and see their employees in action.”
The second stop of the day was a visit to NTCC’s Industrial Technology Training Center in Mount Pleasant. The ITTC is home to NTCC’s Industrial Technology, CNC, Electro-Mechanical Technician, Robotics/Automation, and Electrical Trades programs. Kevin Frost, Professor of Industrial Technology, led the tour. The ITTC is unique in that it works closely with local industry to adapt its curriculum to meet the needs of employers. Students range from dual credit high school students to working adults who attend class at night.
“The ITTC began as a collaboration with NTCC, MPISD and the Mt. Pleasant Economic Development Corporation to teach high-demand skills for this area. Those partnerships remain strong over a decade later and we continue to grow our programs to meet evolving technology standards,” Miles Young, NTCC Dean of Workforce Education.
The Commissioner’s visit ended on the main NTCC campus, where he met with staff and administrators in the Biggers Room. In addition to viewing NTCC’s rare John Biggers mural, Commissioner Treviño also checked out one of the rare Shelby Mustangs that is part of the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program collection. Commissioner Treviño was accompanied by his wife, Edna, and Julia Mercado, Chief of Staff.
“We are so grateful that Commissioner Treviño, Edna and Julia took time out of their busy schedules to meet with us and see the diverse workforce training that NTCC offers. The Texas Workforce Commission does so much to help us meet the needs of our community and we are appreciative of the work they do,” Smith said.
Businesses interested in partnering with NTCC to offer training for employees are encouraged to reach out to Smith at 903-434-8330 or jsmith@ntcc.edu. You can also learn more at www.ntcc.edu/continuinged.
