Texas Tech Operations implements an internship & training program with area schools

This past summer, Texas Tech Operations Division partnered with Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) and South Plains College (SPC) to offer student internships and on-the-job field experiences for those interested in pursuing trade occupations. The goal of this initiative was to provide students with a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities in their respective trades on the Texas Tech campus. This program also aimed to establish a fresh employment pipeline into Operations Division for these Lubbock-area students.

The Operations Division Employee Success Center (ESC) established partnerships with both LISD and SPC students by conducting field trips where information was shared about the division, its services to the Texas Tech community and benefits of working for the institution. Students interested in pursuing a summer internship were interviewed by shop foremen, providing these students with perhaps their first interview experience. Approximately 15 interns were selected and matched to an area that best suited their capabilities including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, structural services, landscaping and energy management.

LISD Students

The LISD students chosen had already completed classes in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and carpentry at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center in Lubbock, Texas. The program included both LISD students who have graduated and those returning to high school in the fall. For students who had already graduated and successfully completed the internship program, the goal was to provide full-time employment opportunities. Students still in school had the opportunity for part-time employment with the Operations Division once the summer program ended.

SPC Students

The SPC students are in the process of completing an associate degree specializing in HVAC and Refrigeration Technology. Working closely with Johnson Controls and Metasys applications during their hands-on classroom instruction, these students were granted the unique opportunity to further develop their skills maintaining sustainable and efficient building controls at Texas Tech.

Operations Participation

The ESC team conducted check-ins with the interns and foremen at the 30- and 60-day marks to measure progress of the program. During this time, ESC assessed how to improve the program and make sure the experiences and outcomes were effective for everyone involved.

Rich Cartwright, senior associate managing director for Facilities Maintenance said, “The partnership between LISD/SPC and Operations Facilities Maintenance exemplifies synergy in action, where commitment to excellence for our campus community ensures our environments support learning and growth within the division.”

While this partnership ultimately aims to establish permanent employment opportunities for these interns, the division continues to invest back into the Lubbock community by mentoring these young professionals in their respective trades.

When this program was first implemented, Sharon Rhodes, associate managing director for the ESC said, “While we hope to permanently employ these individuals as full-time employees, we understand that's not always the case. Our job is to help prepare these interns to successfully enter the workforce by teaching them valuable skills and qualities that they can carry forward in their future careers.”

6-Month Update

Following the successful first run of this internship and training program, the Operations Division has hired four LISD students for full-time, benefit-eligible positions. These new employees are now advancing through their respective career paths. Additionally, three LISD students are working part-time while attending school, with plans to transition to full-time roles upon their graduation in May. The SPC pipeline has also contributed four full-time, benefit-eligible employees to our HVAC area.

The ESC team gained valuable insights from this recruitment and outreach initiative and look forward to its future growth. They have built meaningful relationships with the educational partners at SPC and LISD, and they hope this program continues to create a mentorship pathway for Texas Tech and the industries. There are also plans to establish a similar partnership with Amarillo ISD’s Career and Technical Education Program, allowing Amarillo high school students to train and work at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, Texas.

Rhodes commented on the program’s future, stating her belief that, “At a certain point, this program will help supplement, if not solve, our staffing needs in trade-based shops within the division.”