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PVF ROUNDTABLE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS DONATION TO LEE COLLEGE

Kim Shelton-Brown of Welding Outlets, Inc and PVF Roundtable Board Member, along with the PVF Roundtables Young Professionals committee recently presented Lee College McNair Center in Baytown with a $8,000 donation of safety equipment and tools specifically tailored to the needs of the students. The PVF Roundtable Young Professional’s committee raised these funds through their Annual Clay Shoot Tournament to invest in the future of our industry.  “Having the right tools could not be more important,” said Dr. Dometrius D. Hill, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. “This donation means a lot to the program because our students’ success is tied to their materials.”

The PVF Roundtable and Lee College McNair Center have a shared mission to bring opportunities for the next generation of talent. The donation will assist approximately forty students in total across all four disciplines offered at the McNair Center, consisting of machining, millwright, pipefitting, and welding.  Sara Alford, of Newmans Valve and President of the PVF Roundtable, is also a graduate of Lee College. She told the group the organization’s main mission is to supply scholarship funds to trade schools, like Lee College, and bring opportunities to the next generation of the industry. “Donations like this are transformative,” said John Elliott, Division Chair of Industrial Studies. “Because they remove barriers to prospective students coming from disadvantaged economic backgrounds.”  Dr. Douglas Walcertz, Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, said the goal of the college is to have all the tools, literature, and supplies ready for their students when they arrive on day one as part of their tuition. 

Several of the McNair Center students were in attendance for the event. Johnathan Jackson, who is a native of Houston and a student in the welding school, thanked the group for their donation and said he had always wanted to be a welder and was excited for his future. The McNair Center itself is a state-of-the-art modern industrial environment closely modeled after what students will find upon entering the workforce. Course curricula are built around standards set by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), allowing students to earn industry-recognized credentials that make them more competitive in the job market.

The hands-on training is designed to prepare the students for high-paying careers in the growing petrochemical and construction industries. Degreed can expect to earn a median salary of $18-24 per hour and have the potential to earn as much as $75,000 to $100,000 or more annually with their two-year degree.  

John Elliott added that the college is always looking for new instructors with industry experience. Most of the professors are current or recently retired industry professionals who have committed their time and experience so they can pass on their knowledge about a vital trade to the next generation. “It is very rewarding to see your students’ progress and have those moments where the lightbulb goes on.” 

Before the close of the event, Dr. Walcertz issued a challenge to the PVF Roundtable Young Professional in attendance to assist with helping their students land internships in their chosen discipline. He added they also welcome facility tours so the students can see real world examples of the opportunities waiting for them when they graduate. The PVF Young Professional’s committed to Lee College and Dr. Walcertz that we would make this challenge a priority of our organization.