Training our Local Workforce

Author Stephen Covey viewed failure not as a setback but as a chance to learn, reflect, and adjust one’s approach. He believed that failure occurs only when we give up and stop trying. He emphasized the importance of reflecting on past mistakes and learning from them, and suggested that businesses are built not only on success but also on what is learned from failure.

Now that Midland and Odessa College’s bonds have failed, where do we go from here? A simple Google search will tell you what can be known about the various organizations available to train and grow our local workforce.

Glance at the many opportunities below—it is not all doom and gloom. In fact, with ongoing collaboration, we will be able to meet the challenges of growing our workforce.

It is true that the Permian Basin is, and continues to be, an area with lower educational levels than most of Texas. However, improvements are happening every day. Collaboration between our schools, community members, nonprofits, corporations, etc., is happening and will continue to demonstrate progress.

The Permian Basin has multiple technical training options available through Howard College, Midland College, Odessa College, UTPB, and other organizations, such as the Permian Basin Workforce Board and Skillpoint Alliance. Midland College has the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) and Petroleum Professional Development Center (PPDC). Private corporations offer specific employee training, and multiple online training programs are available.

The information is just a click away if you are looking for employee training. In a quick search, I pulled together some information from various websites. The list that follows is only a snippet of what is available for your consideration.

From Howard College’s Website:

We are dedicated to providing comprehensive educational opportunities to adults, empowering them to unlock their potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. Our organization is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that caters to our adult learners’ diverse needs and backgrounds.

From Midland College’s Website:

Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) offers a variety of programs to help adults increase their academic and workforce skills. Students can improve their reading, math, science, social studies, language arts, and English skills. AEL classes are held at various locations, including the main campus, Cogdell Learning Center, and the Williams Regional Technical Training Center (WRTTC) in Fort Stockton. Midland College AEL is also involved in community partnerships with MISD, MISD Even Start, Casa de Amigos, and Midland Need to Read programs. Additional class sites and community partnerships are established as determined by needs and funding. There are no fees for any AEL program.

GED classes are designed for people who have not completed high school. Men and women study materials at their own levels and progress at their own speeds.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes allow students to improve their language skills in not just speaking but reading, writing, and listening to English. These skills are taught in conjunction with life skills intended to help the student function fully in the community. Multiple levels of instruction are available.

An ESL Civics Class can help Resident Legal Aliens who want immigration and naturalization information to prepare for United States citizenship. The focus of this class is American history and government. Resident aliens can be ready for United States citizenship with individualized academic instruction.

A transition class is designed for people who want to enter a post-secondary technical training program or a certificate program, or who are planning to take the TSI Assessment to enter Midland College.

From Odessa College’s Website:

To meet the needs of today’s students, classes are available on the beautiful OC main campus in Odessa, at extension sites in Andrews, Monahans, Pecos, and Seminole, or even in the convenience of one’s home through OC Global. OC Global provides educational opportunities to anybody, anywhere, anytime, with fully accredited and completely online degree programs.

More than 30 occupational/technical programs are offered to meet the needs of citizens who want to learn new skills or improve existing ones. With more than 30 percent of our students enrolled in occupational/technical programs, OC continues to fulfill the workforce demands of our community.

Almost 6,000 students are enrolled in university-parallel and occupational/technical credit courses. During a given year, nearly 11,000 individuals also enroll in one or more adult basic education, continuing education, or community recreation courses.

From UTPB’s Website:

University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) offers various technical training opportunities, including a certificate in Petroleum Technology and professional development programs through the Career Academy, which includes Grow with Google certificates.

Industrial Technology Program: Focuses on manufacturing practices and processes, preparing students for roles such as process technology management, manufacturing processes, and maintenance and operations.

Petroleum Technology Certificate: A focused certificate for students majoring in industrial technology that provides training relevant to the energy industry, including petroleum fluids, drilling, and production technologies.

Career Academy (Grow with Google): Offers professional training in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Project Management—all designed to help students prepare for high-demand fields without prior experience.

Workforce Certificates: Provides certificate programs tailored to meet the specific employment needs of the community, offering both current students and workforce employees opportunities to enhance their knowledge in a particular area.

Natural Resource Center (NRC) training: Provides training in research methods, data analysis, problem-solving, project management, time management, and communication skills, along with analytical and customized services for various natural resource-related issues.

Our Public Schools:

Our local school districts have various programs of study that allow the participant to accumulate credits for real-life experiences, as well as earned certifications and associate degrees, and to transfer these to a four-year university upon graduation from high school. College, Career, or Military Readiness (CCMR) refers to the state’s effort to ensure that all high school graduates are prepared to attend college, enter the workforce, or serve in the military. CCMR is a key component of the state’s accountability system and is measured through specific indicators that students can achieve.

Programs of study at high schools are designed for both the world of work and to give students a heads-up on their education and career choices. The list is enormous and provides opportunities for all our students. Below is a listing of the Programs of Study from the Texas Education website, and most are offered in our area.

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications
• Business, Marketing, and Finance
• Education and Training
• Energy
• Health Science
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Law and Public Service
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Michele Harmon

“Your employees are the heart of your organization.” Dr. Michele Harmon is a Human Resource professional, supporting clients in Texas and New Mexico that range in size from five to more than 3,000 employees. Email: [email protected].  

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