Oct. 18—Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin — a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to underserved and under-accessed populations — announced on Tuesday its partnership with Midland College and Odessa College, in which it is offering its free pre-apprentice electrical program at the college campuses.

The inaugural class at Midland College Advanced Technology Center took place in June 2022 and the first class at Odessa College took place in September.

"There are several occupations in West Texas that are in high demand, including electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians," Blair Flanagan, the site director at Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin, stated in the press release. "Our partnership with Midland and Odessa Colleges will allow us to provide resources to a larger number of residents in the area who are looking to improve their lives by obtaining meaningful careers in the skilled trades. The expansion into Odessa will double the capacity of our pre-apprentice electrical classes currently held at Midland College and, in the future, allow us to incorporate pre-apprentice plumbing and HVAC courses into our curriculum."

The four-week pre-apprentice electrical class prepares students for work as entry-level electricians. The course covers electrical safety, hand tools, power tools, and the differences between residential and commercial employment job functions. Participants obtain their OSHA 10 certification during the program and will receive assistance to obtain their Texas Department of Licensing and Registration Electrical Apprentice License.

Students who successfully complete the pre-apprentice electrical program also earn continuing education credits from Midland College. To date, 17 students have successfully completed the pre-apprentice electrical program.

"The collaboration with Skillpoint Alliance is proof that traditional institutions of higher education and workforce training programs can work together to offer better opportunities for our students," Dr. Jennifer Myers, associate vice president of workforce education at Midland College, stated in the press release. "Midland College is dedicated to helping students achieve success through workforce development and continuing education."The first pre-apprentice electrical class at Odessa College began on Sept. 19. The class is being held at the Odessa College main campus, and currently has 8 students completing the course.

"Odessa College is excited to collaborate with Skillpoint Alliance to offer these critical skills to meet the workforce needs of the Permian Basin and provide career advancing opportunities for the students in our community," Dr. Tiffani Price, Associate Vice President for Adult, Continuing and Workforce Education at Odessa College, stated in the press release. "This partnership expands the capacity of workforce training programs in our region, and Odessa College is committed and proud to provide workforce and professional skills development to contribute to the economic development in the Permian Basin."

Skillpoint Alliance was first established in 1994 in Austin, when then Mayor, Bruce Todd, called upon the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Apprenticeships and Career Pathways for Austin to create a solution to the lack of apprenticeship and craft training in the City of Austin. Since then, Skillpoint Alliance has become the premier provider of workforce training in Central Texas.

"Skillpoint Alliance was created almost thirty years ago to meet the critical need for skilled workers and rapid workforce development programs in the Austin area. Replicating our program in West Texas will provide an opportunity for members of the Permian Basin to find meaningful careers with great benefits and upward mobility within the skilled trades," Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, stated in the press release. "We have been planning our expansion into West Texas for quite some time and we are grateful to the Permian Strategic Partnership for providing the initial funding, and to Midland College and Odessa College for housing our classes and playing an integral role in our expansion into the region."

Skillpoint Alliance's expansion into West Texas was made possible with support from the Permian Strategic Partnership. The PSP was created to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with federal, state, and local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce.

Initial funds to expand the program to the Permian Basin were provided through a grant allocated by the PSP. The training program has been funded through its first four years. After the grant period, the training program will have become an established part of the workforce ecosystem in the Permian Basin, and will self-fund through a mix of philanthropic, state and local dollars.

Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after time away, having experienced a previous hardship, or are looking to learn foundational skills that will set them on a new pathway to employment in a short amount of time.

Interested parties can visit https://skillpointalliance.org/permian-basin/ for more information, including hiring details, about the training programs.