Building the Future: How Lone Star College and NOV are Shaping Tomorrow's Manufacturing Workforce

In today’s competitive job market, finding qualified workers with the necessary skills and training can be a challenge, especially in the manufacturing and energy sectors. This challenge is exactly what Lone Star College and National Oilwell Varco (NOV) set out to solve through an innovative partnership focused on workforce development. During a recent episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," host Toni Neary sat down with Linda Head, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at Lone Star College, to discuss this groundbreaking initiative and its impact on the local community.

The NOV Partnership: A Win-Win for Education and Industry

The story of this partnership began in 2020, when leaders at NOV saw a looming workforce crisis. Its skilled machinists were retiring, and there was a shortage of young talent to replace them. NOV knew they had to do something—and fast. That's when they turned to Lone Star College.

According to Linda Head, NOV’s leadership wanted to make a difference. “They said, ‘We have jobs going unfilled, people retiring, and we want to help the community by giving people opportunities they wouldn’t normally have.’” Thus, the collaboration was born, driven by NOV’s desire to address its aging workforce while also promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Creating a Pathway for Success

NOV and Lone Star College created a cutting-edge workforce program that focused on high school students from a neighboring community, Aldine Independent School District, which serves a large number of first-generation college students. These students, many of whom had taken manual machining courses in high school, were offered a unique opportunity: a chance to further their education, earning a degree, while working at NOV, with all costs covered by the company.

The program offered:

• Full scholarships for students to complete a two-year degree in machining at Lone Star College.
• Paid internships at NOV during the summer, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a real-world manufacturing setting.
• Support for books, transportation, work uniforms, and even childcare for those who needed it.

Linda shared that while the offer was exciting, the students initially hesitated. Many were first-generation college students from low-income families, unsure about working for such a large, international company. “We had to bring in counselors and workforce advisors to help them understand that they could succeed here,” Linda explained.

Building a Supportive Ecosystem

Recognizing that these students needed more than just financial support, NOV and Lone Star created an ecosystem of mentorship and guidance. Each student was paired with mentors from both the company and the college to ensure they received the personal attention and support necessary for success.

One significant hurdle they encountered was working overtime. The students were such dedicated workers that plant managers started offering them extra hours, which impacted their academic performance. NOV and Lone Star quickly adapted, requiring students to sign contracts limiting overtime so they could maintain their grades.

The program has been a massive success. All the students in the first cohort completed their two-year degrees, and all have stayed with NOV, with some even continuing their education in programs like Energy Manufacturing Leadership. One student, a young woman, not only completed the program but advanced into a leadership role within NOV, illustrating the program's long-term potential.

Expanding the Vision: Mechanical Engineering and Beyond

Building on the success of the machinist program, NOV and Lone Star College have also extended its partnership to include pathways for mechanical engineering students. These students now have the opportunity to pursue a degree in engineering while working part-time at NOV, ensuring they gain valuable industry experience throughout their education.

However, attracting students to the mechanical engineering program came with its own set of challenges. Many of these students came from families that envisioned them attending prestigious four-year universities outside of Houston. Convincing both students and parents that staying local could be just as valuable required continued efforts in partnership-building and education.

Addressing Barriers to Entry

A significant part of the program’s success has been its ability to address the specific challenges underserved populations face in pursuing higher education and stable careers. As Toni and Linda discussed, issues such as transportation, childcare, mental health support, and financial instability often prevent students from completing their education.

For example, some students with young children worried about how they would manage work, school, and childcare. NOV stepped in to cover daycare costs, while Lone Star arranged for bus transportation to NOV’s facilities.

This holistic approach to student success is what sets the NOV-Lone Star partnership apart. By removing barriers that would otherwise derail these students’ progress, they are creating pathways for long-term success, both for the students and for the company.

The Ripple Effect: Changing Lives and Building Communities

The results of the program have been transformative—not only for the students involved but for the broader community. By offering opportunities to first-generation college students, the program is breaking cycles of poverty and underemployment. As Linda explained, these students aren’t just earning degrees; they’re securing well-paying jobs that provide long-term stability and opportunities for advancement.

For companies like NOV, this partnership represents a sustainable solution to the growing skills gap in manufacturing. By investing in the education and training of young workers, they are building a pipeline of talent that will keep its operations running smoothly for years to come.

A Call to Action for Other Companies

The success of this program has caught the attention of other companies and colleges, many of which are now looking to replicate this model. Linda emphasized the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and businesses. “NOV was willing to meet with us every other week to figure this out. They wanted to understand the students they were hiring and help them succeed.”

Toni echoed this sentiment, highlighting that companies must be willing to get creative and address the unique challenges that underserved populations face. “When we look at the biggest barriers to entry—transportation, childcare, mental health issues—these are things that haven’t been addressed in the past. NOV did it and look at the results.”

The Future of Workforce Development

The partnership between Lone Star College and NOV has not only created a successful workforce pipeline but has also set a new standard for how companies can invest in their communities.

With 100% completion rates and stories of students rising through the ranks at NOV, this program proves that when companies, colleges, and communities come together, they can create life-changing opportunities for students while meeting critical workforce needs.

As Linda puts it, “We’re building the workforce of tomorrow, and it’s exciting to see what’s possible when everyone works together.”

Listen to the full episode here.