THECB report: 94.9 percent of Blinn technical students transfer their skills to a new job or additional training
This marks the third-highest percentage among 82 public two-year institutions in Texas
June 2, 2017
A recent publication from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) indicates that 94.9 percent of students enrolled in Blinn College technical programs in Fall 2015 are now employed and/or enrolled in higher education.
This marks the third-highest percentage among the 82 public two-year Texas institutions in the state, behind only Panola College (97.5 percent) and Paris Junior College (96.0).
According to the THECB’s Texas Public Higher Education Almanac, 71.5 percent of Blinn technical program students enrolled in the 2015 Fiscal Year are employed and not currently enrolled at a college or university. An additional 19.7 percent are employed and enrolled in higher education, and 3.6 percent are enrolled but not employed.
Blinn offers a wide range of technical programs, including applied business, art and visual communication, child development, criminal justice, hospitality management, information management, office administration, paralegal, real estate, and veterinary technology.
Blinn also offers renowned health science programs. Based at the Texas A&M Health Science Center, where students obtain hands-on learning at the 26,000-square-foot Blinn College Simulation and Clinical Labs, Blinn’s Health Sciences Division includes the associate degree nursing, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, fire science, health information technology, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, surgical technology, therapeutics manufacturing, and vocational nursing.
Blinn’s state licensure exam pass rates were 89.74 percent for the last academic year.
Additionally, Blinn’s Division of Technical & Community Education offers a wide range of technical and career course offerings, including certified medication aide, certified nurse aide, electrical technician, HVAC technician, machinist, medical secretary, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, professional truck driver, and welder.
Blinn recently announced the introduction of new plumbing and carpentry programs that will be offered at the RELLIS Campus in Bryan beginning this month. These programs are designed following nationally recognized National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum, and demand for both programs is growing locally and across the nation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national demand for plumbers is expected to grow 12 percent between 2014 and 2024, generating 49,100 additional jobs with a median pay of $50,620 per year. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley anticipates 17 percent growth locally during that same span, with an hourly salary range between $12.17 and $21.27.
The national demand for carpenters is expected to grow 6 percent between 2014 and 2024, generating 60,400 jobs nation-wide with a median pay of $42,090 per year. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley anticipates 14.5 percent growth locally during that same span, with an hourly wage between $11.65 and $18.
Both programs begin with a core course that will be offered June 5-22, where students will earn their Occupational Safety & Health Administration 10-Hour Safety Credential and the NCCER Core Credential. Once the core course is complete, the student can enroll the plumbing or carpentry course. For more information, contact Ken Dupre, Director of Technical and Community Programs, at ken.dupre@blinn.edu or 979-209-7560.
