TSTC alumnus wants to see Welding Technology students succeed

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) - Xavier Gomez wants to see Texas State Technical College students succeed.

Gomez, a 2016 graduate of TSTC's Welding Technology program in Brownwood, recently returned to his former campus for an employer spotlight to talk to current students about job opportunities with Prime Metal Buildings & Components, where he is a shift supervisor.

"I like to share the growth I have had with Prime with TSTC students," he said. "I want to push people to succeed in their welding careers."

Gomez said he was proud of the improvements that have been made at the Brownwood campus and specifically in the welding lab. He said the pride that the faculty and staff show students helps the college succeed in placing graduates in high-paying jobs.

"TSTC is going the way I like to see it, which is making people successful," he said.

Gomez said he began working at Prime Metal Buildings & Components as a welder and "moved up the chain" to his current position.

He and some of his co-workers who participated in the presentation discussed career opportunities for welders and fitters at the Dublin, Texas, facility. The full-service manufacturing company designs, engineers and supplies metal buildings and roofing systems.

"We have done several big projects, including one building that is now standing in Arizona," Gomez said. "We are not building just in Texas. We have buildings throughout the United States."

Gomez said he is looking for employees who will be able to learn on the job.

"Everything in our shop needs to be near perfect," he said. "I am not going to say perfect, because no one is perfect. We want you to learn from mistakes and make improvements."

Gomez said it is important for students to learn everything they can while at TSTC.

"My welders know how to read a tape measure, which allows them to be able to read the prints for a job," he said. "I encourage each student to learn how to read the tape measure, all the way down to the 1/16th."

Bailee O'Brien, a recruiter for Prime Metal Buildings & Components, said TSTC graduates make a good fit with the company.

"We need dependable people, like TSTC graduates, who will show up for work," she said.

According to onetonline.org, welders can earn a yearly median salary of more than $48,000 in Texas. Welding jobs were expected to increase 23% between 2020 and 2030 in the state, according to the website.

Welding Technology is one of nine programs at TSTC that have money-back guarantees. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Bailee O'Brien (center) and Xavier Gomez (right) talk to a TSTC Welding Technology student about career opportunities at Prime Metal Buildings & Components.

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