By Mary Meaux
The News staff writer
A select group of individuals are getting some on-the-job training, with pay, courtesy of a collaboration between Team Fabricators LLC, Port Arthur Economic Development Council and Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas.
The partnership allows for custom training in welding to current employees and is made possible through a $75,000 Texas Workforce Commission High Demand Job Training grant that will be leveraged with matching funds from the PAEDC and employer contributions.
Team Fabricators Plant Manager David Cherry brought a group of people through his facility for a tour and a view of some of the welding students honing their skills on Thursday.
The grant is part of a $1 million statewide effort to support collaborations between Workforce Solutions partners and local economic development entities to create occupational job training programs to improve the skill sets of people for jobs in high-demand fields in their communities.
Joseph Champagne is one of the welding students.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m glad I’m able to be here and have a chance to take advantage of the program,” Champagne said.
Cherry explained there is a need for welders because of a labor shortage. His facility currently has six welding students who are training for a 12 week period. Upon completion of training, participants will be paid $14 to $20 an hour.
PAEDC Director Floyd Batiste is pleased with the partnership and the opportunity to train Port Arthur residents who will in turn seek employment making in excess of $20 an hour.
TWC chairman and commissioner representing the public Andres Alcantar called the partnership a “win-win-win” situation for all involved.
E-mail: mary.meaux@panews.com
Twitter: MaryMeauxPANews