Houston -HCC welcomes new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence Director

The new Director of the Houston Community College (HCC) Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (COE) is determined to make HCC the number one choice for students to learn about the manufacturing industry.

“One of the first things I want to try and overcome is the misconception of a machinist, over the years the job description has drastically changed,” said Frederick Heard

Heard is no stranger to the manufacturing industry and has seen the infusion of high-tech equipment change the playing field for this industry. He brings over 14 years of experience in the profession, including the last 12 years spent working as a Plant Manager with Halliburton.

“There’s a demand in education to convey these manufacturing jobs are now computer and programming driven as well as some high-tech NASA technology. A CNC programmer can make $75,000 a year working in a machine environment. Kids are on computers at an early age, they understand everything is logic driven, so getting that part of the manufacturing story out there is important to get potential students interested in the programs HCC offers.”

HCC tapped Heard because of his experience and his vision to implement real-world training into the COE programs.

According the 2015 Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte Skills Gap Study, over the next decade (2015-2025) nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled. Contributing factors include the retirement of an expected 2.7 million “baby boomers” and the creation of 700,000 new manufacturing jobs due to industry growth. The industry is truly massive, filling numerous gaps. The services provided can’t be replaced and we most certainly would struggle to live without what they provide. For a start, equipment that is used in materials handling is essential to the fields involved with computer and HVAC repairs. We need this area of the sector full of willing employees! With this skill gap widening, Heard is laser-focused on HCC producing trained workers to fill close those gaps.

Frederick Heard. He is no stranger to the manufacturing industry and has seen the infusion of high-tech equipment change the playing field for this industry. He brings over 14 years of experience in the profession, including the last 12 years spent working as a Plant Manager with Halliburton.

“I understand the manufacturing industry need, focus and priority; and it is extremely important to meet them halfway,” Heard said. “I plan to strengthen and build relationships with area local high school districts to recruit students. The college is the bridge between industry, education, and the functional skills of the program. I see the Advanced Manufacturing COE doing a lot of outreach between secondary education and industry to assist in student success.”

In addition, Heard wants to work with the HCC industry advisory board to build program curriculum and develop potential student tours of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence so they can touch, feel and learn about what is being created in HCC manufacturing labs, with the ultimate goal of choosing HCC as their college of first choice when it comes time to enroll for classes.

Heard earned his Bachelor’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston – Downtown (UHD). In 2015, he received his Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of St. Thomas. Heard is originally from Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the United States Army. He has a total of 25 years in the Army, with the last 15 of those years with the Texas Army National Guard as a Command Sargent Major.

Heard is excited to jump in and make programs at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence more robust, not just focusing on machining; but also focusing on the non-machining side of the business to recruit a broader audience. His message to current and future students is one of change.

“The manufacturing industry is not like your father’s or grandfather’s manufacturing,” Heard said. “With HCC securing brand new cutting-edge technology and housing the industry standard state-of-the-art equipment, graduates from the HCC Advanced Manufacturing COE will train on the equipment companies use, giving them the upper hand when applying for jobs.”

In the future, Heard plans to add more programs to the Advanced Manufacturing COE including Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machine Operation, Maintenance, Mechatronics and Robotics opportunities. To learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, visit hccs.edu/manufacturing.

HCC salutes the Class of 2016

Excitement and pride. HCC graduates ready to start a new chapter.

HOUSTON– “I made a promise to my mom before she passed away that I would finish my degree and that is why I am here,” said Kelly James, who kept his promise and became one of the 2,650 graduates who participated in the 2016 Houston Community College (HCC) Commencement Ceremony.

Just like James, the journey to this proud moment was filled with obstacles for Joanna Rivas-Nino, who had to be separated from her husband and family while she attended HCC.

“It has been difficult because I am very attached to them,” she said. “It has been difficult to be here by myself but everything has a cost.”

Help was the dominant message of the address Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor delivered to the crowd of about 19,000 family members and guests at NRG Stadium.

“Whether you are a first time graduate or coming back for another degree, if you focus on helping people you are going to have a great career and a great life,” he said.

Chancellor Maldonado’s message was inspired by his own graduation and the experience of seeing his own daughter graduate. For him, each commencement ceremony is unique and uplifting.

“It doesn’t matter how many of these I attend, my message is one of success and hope, dreams and helping others. It is all about people,” said Dr. Maldonado.

Additional words of encouragement came from Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes, who served as keynote speaker.

“Welcome to my house,” Rootes told the excited crowd. “All of you have demonstrated the will to prepare to win in the most important game of all, the game of life. You learn so much in school and now it is time to go out and play it.”

Graduates also heard from the Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, representing the 18th District of Texas. A champion for education and for HCC, she pointed out that no matter where we come from, we all succeed together.

She stated, “I don’t know the trials and tribulations that you have overcome, but I know that you have gone across the bridge and no one can turn you around.”

In her comments, HCC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Adriana Tamez thanked the graduates’ families for their support and praised the graduates for achieving a milestone.

“Without your family and friends this day would not be possible. What you are accomplishing is to be admired—it shows you are up for any challenge so don’t let your dreams go by the wayside,” she said. “You have the world at your fingertips, so take hold of it. I want you to be part of the future of this city and country and do all you can to make it a better place.” said Dr. Tamez.

Robert Glaser, HCC Board of Trustees vice chair, presented Honorary Degrees to four individuals for their contributions to the Greater Houston Area. They are Ponnu Pillai, Jesse A. Rodriguez, Gracie Saenz, and Linda Toyota.

Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 13 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, visit www.hccs.edu.

How HCC-trained welders boost Houston’s workforce

HCC trains the next generation of welders in high demand by diverse industries in the Greater Houston Area.

Skilled welders play a critical role in the manufacturing and maintenance of structures that require metallic components. In Houston, the recent increase in residential and commercial construction and the doubling in size of the Port of Houston have resulted in a high demand for qualified welders. Through its diverse educational programs for welding, Houston Community College is responding to the industry needs for qualified welders and fulfilling a critical need in the workforce.

Rhoderick Villanueva enrolled in the HCC welding program in 2009. Although he was employed as a welder at the time, he earned only $30,000 a year because of his limited skills.

“I went to HCC to learn multiple processes,” Villanueva said. “HCC makes the tools available. They give you hands-on training and everything you need.”

Villanueva now earns $70,000 a year.

Villanueva’s story reflects the experience of thousands of workers in the energy sector who saw their income potential affected as a result of low oil prices and the subsequent decrease of offshore drilling. The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers reports that Texas has lost approximately 84,000 oil and gas jobs in the past 16 months. Yet the need for welders remains high as a result of the booming raise of residential and commercial construction. A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America found that seventy-four percent of Texas construction companies say they are having a hard time finding hourly craft workers, including trained welders.

According to HCC welding instructor Frank Alderete, an entry level welder can earn $18-20 an hour—more than double the federal minimum wage, but many HCC students graduate beyond entry level and earn even more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% job growth for welders to continue through 2020.

Tom Tynan, Director of Construction & Trades, HCC Continuing Education says that the welding field is changing with more women interested in taking classes. Currently only three percent of U.S. professional welders are women, but Tynan expects that to change given the high pay and the growing need for skilled workers.

Some HCC welding certification programs don’t require applicants to have a high school diploma.

“If you can read and write at a ninth grade level, we can train you,” Tynan said.

To learn about the welding programs offered at HCC, visit hccs.edu/continuingeducation and click Welding or call the Continuing Education Department at 713-718-8932

Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 13 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, visit www.hccs.edu.

HCC students earn scholarships with food and design

HCC Designing Dining 2016 First Place winners Tania Albin, Interior Design student and Nick Robinson, Culinary Arts student.

A healthy serving of innovation and collaboration were on display for all to see and taste during Designing Dining 2016 at Houston Community College (HCC). Students from the world-renowned HCC Culinary Arts and Interior Design programs worked in teams of two to plan and design a 20,000 square-foot restaurant concept, from menus and presentation, to interior design and branding.

Designing Dining 2016 is the culmination of a semester of planning into execution with culinary arts students preparing hors d’oeuvres from their restaurant menus and interior design students showcasing their work through renderings, color palates, and floor plans. The event also gives the students real-world experience into the hospitality industry.

“The restaurant business today is not only driven by food, but also by high design,” said interior designer, author, and event judge Bill Stubbs, owner of William W. Stubbs and Associates. “The level of professionalism here is amazing.”

Led by Interior Design professors Kevin Hamby, RID, IIDA; Shasta Swift, IDEC, ASID; and Culinary Arts instructor Chef Christy Sykes, the 11 teams worked for nearly two months to create their concepts based on a pre-selected global region, which they picked in a random draw.

The teams’ ability to represent those regions impressed Chef Michael Bargas of Aramark and Houston ISD, who judged the food on complexity, originality, technique, and overall flavor and execution.

Bargas said, “They hit the target; the students represented themselves very well in terms of the flavor profile of their region.”

HCC Board of Trustees Zeph Capo, District I; Robert Glaser, vice chair, District V; and Dr. Adriana Tamez, chair, District III were among the more than 150 people who attended the event.

“I am very impressed with the interior designers and chefs and I am honored that they chose to get their education at Houston Community College,” said Tamez.

Designing Dining is more than a great event with fabulous food and design; it is a scholarship fundraising event for culinary arts and interior design students.

The following Designing Dining 2016 Awards recipients include:

People’s Choice: Patricia Alvarez, Culinary Arts and Mario Morales, Interior Design for their American South-Cajun/Creole theme and Amazing Crab cake;
Second Place Team Award: Paula Guerra, Culinary Arts and Samantha Bourgeois, Interior Design for their Asian Cuisine – SE Asia;
First Place Team Award: Nick Robinson, Culinary Arts and Tania Albin, Interior Design for their Latin Cuisine-Central/South America theme and Shrimp Ceviche;
Best in Show for Interior Design: Tania Albin for La Vela concept;
Best in Show for Culinary Arts: Robert Bertot and his Texas BBQ

Albin, who took home two awards, explained that a blue corn tortilla chip inspired her team’s seafood concept.

“This was a great collaboration between the two departments,” said Albin.

As a comprehensive community college system, HCC offers many programs designed to meet the needs of students according to their backgrounds and interests. Find out how…

A shocked Bertot, whose Texas Barbecue sample stood out among his fellow Culinary Arts classmates, dedicated the win to his late nephew.

He said, “My nephew gave me the energy to take on this project. Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.”

Deep Eddy Vodka, The Greater Houston Restaurant Association, The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality, the HCC Foundation sponsored the event.

The Interior Design and Culinary Arts programs are offered at the Consumer Arts & Sciences Center of Excellence. For more information, please visit hccs.edu/consumerarts.

Like Us On Facebook