Pantex Participates in Career Conference

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC is committed to encouraging the next generation of technical professionals, skilled trade workers and first responders.

Engineers, sheet metal workers and firefighter paramedics from the Pantex Plant shared the education and skill requirements for their jobs at a recent Step Up to Success conference.

Area middle school students attended two sessions of their choice with professionals from career fields such as healthcare, business, engineering, agriculture science, criminal justice, law, communications, information technology, culinary arts and skilled trades.

“I’ve been representing Pantex at this event for about 12 years,” said Joe David Villarreal, Pantex Fire Department captain and shift officer. “My favorite part is seeing the students get excited when they can actually put their hands on the equipment and try it.

Joe David Villarreal, Pantex Fire Department captain and shift officer, helps a student test a fire hose at the Step Up to Success career conference. About 600 middle school students attended the conference to learn the education and skill requirements for a variety of career fields.

This year, Villarreal and Alvino Alvarez Jr., Pantex Fire Department firefighter and motor pump operator, brought a grass rig used for fighting brush and grass fires and allowed students to test a fire hose. They also handed out fire prevention and smoke detector literature.

Los Barrios de Amarillo, a civic organization established by Hispanic community leaders, hosted the conference for more than 600 middle school students in the Texas Panhandle. Los Barrios also offers a high school conference in the fall.