SPC Announces Weekend Trades Program

St. Philip’s College is proud to announce it is launching a new initiative to help students earn career-ready credentials on a flexible schedule.

The Weekend Trades program, beginning in August 2025, allows students to complete training in high-wage, high-demand fields by attending classes exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays at the college’s Southwest Campus.

The program was created in response to growing demand in fields of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), diesel technology, and electrical trades.

“In an effort to make these courses more accessible to all walks of life, we are now offering Friday and Saturday sections, with a vision of increasing those offerings in the near future," said Chris Beardsall, Dean for Academic Success, Applied Science & Technology – SWC.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the electrical trades are projected to have 100,000 job openings between 2023 and 2033. Classes in the program will run all day Friday and Saturday. After completing just three semesters, students can earn credentials that position them for immediate job opportunities.

To kick off the initiative, St. Philip’s hosted a Weekend Trades Showcase on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Southwest Campus on Quintana Road. Prospective students met faculty, explored programs, completed enrollment steps, and registered for classes.

Representatives from Ready to Work were on hand to provide help to participants to determine their eligibility for the program. Additionally, Human Resources conducted on-site pre-screenings for faculty members interested in teaching in the Weekend Trades program.