National Apprenticeship Week: DOW & LSCO

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ORANGE, TX – As National Apprenticeship Week approaches April 26 through May 2, local industry leaders and students are highlighting the impact of hands-on training programs that blend education with real-world experience.

At Lamar State College Orange (LSCO), a partnership with Dow is helping students build pathways into high-demand careers while earning a paycheck and gaining practical skills.

The Dow apprenticeship program allows students to gain both classroom instruction and on-site experience, creating a direct connection between theory and practice. That structure is intentional, said Milton Briggs, the early career program leader at Dow, who pointed to the value of combining both environments. “You’re able to take what you’re learning in the classroom and immediately apply it,” Briggs said.

Originally focused on process operations and maintenance roles such as millwright, electrical and instrumentation, the program is expanding to include new pathways like machining and laboratory technology as workforce needs continue to grow.

For students, the program offers more than just technical training. Gabriel Torres, a process operator apprentice, said the opportunity has provided both stability and direction after working in related fields. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “It has always been a dream of mine to be here,” adding that the hands-on exposure confirmed he was on the right path.

Program leaders say the impact also extends into the broader community, creating opportunities for local students to build careers close to home. Larry Spears Jr., mayor of Orange, Texas and site operational excellence specialist at Dow, said the program creates life-changing opportunities for individuals and families in the region. “They now have that opportunity. And so, their parents may have never had a college education, or their parents may never have had a plant job, but always wanted one. And now they get a shot at it,” Spears said.

Apprenticeships like this one are designed to meet workforce demands while creating long-term career stability. Program leaders say participants who enter through the apprenticeship pipeline tend to have higher retention rates, benefiting both employees and employers.

With continued investment from industry partners and educational institutions, programs like the Dow apprenticeship are expected to play a growing role in preparing the next generation of skilled workers across Southeast Texas.