Middle skills jobs are defined as generally requiring some significant education and training beyond high school but less than a bachelor�s degree. These jobs represent 41 percent of all jobs in the Houston region.
Lone Star College is taking the challenge head on: preparing tomorrow�s technical workforce today by offering high-level training to teach necessary job skills employers are seeking.
�As a part of this community, it�s important for us to assist area employers by helping to train tomorrow�s workforce today,� said Stephen Head, LSC chancellor.
"In the past five years alone, we have seen the local workforce grow by 9 percent,� Head added. �We are working right now to train more students to help meet those specific needs."
Fueled by the energy boom and the investment that comes with it, the skills gap is a result of changing expertise due to technological advancements, aging demographics and the fact that many students often choose their field of study based on personal interest, rather than labor market needs.
It is estimated that 63 percent of all jobs will require education or training beyond high school by 2018. LSC partners with companies like FMC Technologies, Inc., Parker Drilling, Patterson-UTI Drilling Company, LLC, Baker Hughes, and Stewart & Stevenson, as well as professional organizations like the International Association of Drilling Contractors and others, to ensure students are using the most current industry-standard equipment and software.
In addition, as part of the Lone Star College 2014 Bond Referendum on the Nov. 4 election ballot, funding is included to help address workforce needs by creating new Advanced Technology Centers that focus on: Computer Information Technology and Visual Communications, Industrial/Commercial Construction and HVACR, Process and Lab Technology - Oil/Gas/Water, Transportation & Logistics, and a Drilling Platform Training Center to provide oil and gas industry training.
The bond referendum also
includes funding for renovations to current workforce education facilities,
including additional space for health care training like the build out of the
LSC-Tomball Health Science Center near the Tomball Regional Hospital campus.
LSC adds $3.1 billion in economic impact directly into the local community each year, with $2.8 billion in increased earnings for LSC students. And 91 percent of students stay in the community after attending LSC which leads to a stronger tax base and more robust economy.
