(WACO, Texas) - Izaiah Pecina, of Waco, is already bettering his future.

Pecina, who graduated earlier this year from Connally High School in Waco, is taking part in the Industrial Systems training program provided through Texas State Technical College's Workforce Training and Continuing Education department.

"I think it's a great opportunity for me being young and coming in and getting all these seven certifications," said Pecina, an aspiring electrician. "When you start a new certification, it is hard at first."

The certifications that Pecina and his classmates are working to earn are Electrical Systems, Electrical System Installation, Electric Motor Control Systems, Mechanical Power Systems, Pneumatic Systems, Programmable Controller Systems and Variable Frequency Drive Systems. Participants will receive Silver Level certification from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance. The students will also earn OSHA-10 certification.

The goal is for class attendees to get good paying manufacturing jobs.

Pecina, like several of his classmates, were recruited by Prosper Waco's Upskill Waco program. Upskill Waco increases workforce training pathways in high-paying, high-demand occupations in McLennan County.

"Sometimes that accessibility and removing as many barriers as we can makes all the difference in whether a person is able to change the trajectory of their future," said Jessica Atlas, chief executive officer of Prosper Waco.

Samuel Harrion, of Waco, is a self-employed barber who also has construction and retail experience. He said he chose to take the classes because he was tired of entry-level positions.

Harrion said he had familiarization already with some of the vocabulary he would encounter. He said the hands-on experience during labs is good because he can quickly fix mistakes.

"It's good for me," he said. "My favorite thing about this class is Mr. Larry (Griffin.) He knows what he is talking about. He has experience."

Harrion's goal upon completing the classes is to find a technical or managerial job and be paid well.

Dekshalon Hunt, of Waco, worked as a package handler before enrolling in the classes. She had some technical training, having gone to the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy when she was a student at La Vega High School in Waco, and later earning a certificate of completion in Welding Technology at TSTC's Waco campus.

Hunt said math is the hardest part about the classes. She said she did not mind being the only woman in the cohort.

"Just give it a try because you might not know if you like it or not," she said.

The Industrial Systems classes are taking place in leased space at the Region 12 Education Service Center in Waco. Starting in early 2025, many of TSTC's workforce training efforts will move to The WorkSITE (Skills, Innovation, Training and Education) on Wycon Drive in Waco. The workforce training facility is a partnership between TSTC, the city of Waco, and McLennan County. TSTC will own and operate the building.

The current Industrial Systems cohort began classes in late July and are scheduled to finish in late September. Classes meet five days a week. On four Fridays, the group will tour area companies.

"They are all eager to learn," said Larry Griffin, an instructor in TSTC's Workforce Training and Continuing Education department. "Most here are getting stipends from Prosper Waco to receive training."

Applications are being accepted for the next Industrial Systems training classes scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, to Thursday, Dec. 12. For more on Prosper Waco, go to prosperwaco.org.

For more information on TSTC's Workforce Training and Continuing Education department, go to tstc.edu/workforcetraining.

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