The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Blinn College a $395,723 grant to provide an array of training programs for more than 200 employees at Tempur Sealy International, Inc. in Brenham.
The grant, presented by Texas Workforce Commissioner Ronald G. Congleton Wednesday at the A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center, has funded training for 186 incumbent and 77 new Tempur Sealy employees. Blinn has already begun training Tempur Sealy employees in electrical, fire and chemical safety, best manufacturing processes, computers, CNC machining, communication, forklift operation, hydraulics and pneumatics, machine maintenance, machine guarding, manufacturing safety and standards, business mathematics, mattress manufacturing, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems, Spanish, welding, tools and mattress equipment, supervisory skills, supervisory skills and Department of Transportation regulations, among other skills.
“With this training, Blinn College has the opportunity to provide Tempur Sealy employees upgraded technical skills as well as refresher courses in safety,” said Megan Costanza, dean of Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Tempur Sealy to support our local workforce through technical training and skills advancement.”
Tempur Sealy’s history dates back to 1881, when Daniel Haynes, a cotton gin builder in Sealy, Texas, began filling requests for cotton-filled mattresses. His business grew exponentially, which led to more innovations and several patents. Fifteen years later, Haynes sold his patents to a Texas company that retained the Sealy name. Today the company owns and operates 25 bedding plants in the United States.
Tempur Sealy expanded manufacturing at its Brenham location and increased the workforce by more than 200 employees between 2013 and 2014, and now employs more than 300 individuals. The workforce talent needed to support this operation includes material specialists, planners, managers, engineers, equipment operators, material handlers, product inspectors, production team workers, transport operators, quality control specialists, shippers and inventory specialists. By partnering with Blinn to provide on-the-job skills development training, Sealy can develop a well-trained, educated and productive workforce to meet its needs.
The Skills Development Fund is the premier job-training program in Texas, providing training dollars for Texas businesses and their employees. Administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, success is achieved through collaboration among businesses, public community and technical colleges, local workforce development boards and economic development partners.
From Sept. 1, 2013 – Aug. 31, 2015, the Texas Workforce Commission has budgeted $48 million in Skills Development Funds to support high-quality, customized job training projects across the state. Blinn has been awarded more than $900,000 in Skills Development Funds in 2014-15.
“Blinn is excited about the opportunity to partner with more local businesses in applying for these funds,” said Rod Thomas, director of workforce and corporate partnerships. “The training provided through the Skill Development Fund produces better employees who in turn contribute to the community’s economic vitality.”
Businesses, consortiums and trade unions with more than 100 employees are encouraged to contact Blinn at 979-209-7205 to explore partnering with the College for Skill Development Fund training opportunities. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees may be eligible for Skills for Small Business grants, and are also encouraged to contact Blinn for more information.
Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education improves the local economy by helping job-seekers obtain the skills and credentials they need to succeed in the workplace, and by partnering with local businesses to offer training opportunities for incumbent and new employees. For more information on Blinn’s Workforce Education opportunities, including class schedules and registration information, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce.
