Texas Workforce Commission awards $820,365 safety and skills training grant to Blinn College and NOV Grant Prideco
Grant will make $4.3 million economic impact on the local community
May 26, 2017
NOV Grant Prideco President R. Brett Chandler, Blinn College Corporate College Director Jana Bowers, Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, and Grant Coordinator Rodney Maurer.
The Texas Workforce Commission presented Blinn College and NOV Grant Prideco an $820,365 grant Thursday, May 25, to provide safety and skills training for NOV Grant Prideco employees. The grant will train 395 workers, and the Texas Workforce Commission estimates it will make a $4.3 million economic impact on the local community.
Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez made the announcement at the NOV Grant Prideco facility in Navasota alongside Dr. Crystal Lee, Blinn College Vice President for Instruction; Dr. Jimmy Byrd, Executive Director of the Blinn-Bryan Campus; Jay Anderson, Dean of Blinn College Technical & Community Programs; R. Brett Chandler, NOV Grant Prideco President; and Steve McAteer; NOV Grant Prideco General Manager.
The grant provides training for 34 new jobs and 361 upgraded positions in forklift operation, aerial platform work, overhead crane operations, electrical troubleshooting and repair, electrical power, hydraulics, machining, ultrasonic testing welding manufacturing, and a variety of workplace safety courses.
Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez congratulated Blinn College, NOV Grant Prideco, and community leaders for collaborating to provide skills training to local workers and strengthen the Texas economy during a Texas Workforce Commission Skills Development Fund Grant presentation Thursday, May 25, at the NOV Grant Prideco Titan Building in Navasota.
NOV Grant Prideco is the world's largest supplier of premium drill pipe and drill stem accessories. Offering a full range of proprietary and API drill pipe, drill collars, heavy weight drill pipe, and drill stem components, NOV Grant Prideco is the single source for all drill stem needs from the top drive to the bit sub. Product quality and performance are optimized by a unique vertical integration from mill to market. Whether manufacturing products to efficiently drill the simplest well or drilling in the harshest environment, NOV Grant Prideco's innovative products, worldwide operations, expert engineering and design resources, and global service network meet the demands of any tough drilling challenge.
“NOV Grant Prideco is honored to partner with Blinn College and the Texas Workforce Commission, and is thankful for their support through the Skills Development Fund,” Chandler said. “Our greatest advantage within our market is our people, and this partnership has enabled us to invest in our employees and significantly broaden their skill sets during an extremely challenging time in the oil and gas industry.”
The Skills Development Fund provides local customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages of the Texas workforce. Blinn has secured $2.7 million in Skills Development Fund grants since August 2014, helping local employers such as Axis Pipe & Tube, Blue Bell, Igloo, Kaemark, Stanpac, and Tempur Sealy develop and implement employee safety and skills training programs.
“Skills Development Fund grants deliver customized training solutions that help Texas businesses and their employees thrive in today’s competitive business environment,” Anderson said. “This investment from the Texas Workforce Commission builds the skills of local employees, benefitting both the business and our community.”
Businesses, consortiums and trade unions with more than 100 employees are encouraged to contact the College at 979-209-7205 to explore partnering with Blinn for Skills Development Fund training opportunities. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees may be eligible for Skills for Small Business grants, and also are encouraged to contact Blinn for more information.
Blinn strengthens the economy by helping job-seekers obtain the skills and credentials they need to succeed in the workplace, and by partnering with local businesses to offer training opportunities for incumbent and new employees. For more information on Blinn’s technical and community education programs, including class schedules and registration information, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce.
