LISD/SPC Student Internship & Training Program
Operations Division has 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 is to provide students with a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities in their respective trades here on the Texas Tech campus. This program also aims 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 have completed classes in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and carpentry at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center. The program includes both LISD student who have graduated and those returning to high school in the fall. Students still in school may have the opportunity for part-time employment with the Operations Division once the semester resumes. The department aims to provide full-time employment opportunities for those who have already graduated and successfully complete the internship program.
SPC Students
The SPC students are 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 will be granted the unique opportunity to further develop their skills maintaining sustainable and efficient building controls at Texas Tech.
Operations Participation
The ESC team will complete check-ins with the interns and foremen after 30 and 60 days to measure progress of the program. During this time, ESC will examine how to improve the program and make sure the experience and outcome are 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.”
The ESC team has 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 plans to coordinate outreach activities in the fall and spring semesters to reach more students in other local school districts.
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.
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.”