Oscar Garay is a welding student at Big Bend Community College. Garay, 33, Wilson Creek, is much more than a student. He works full time doing construction with OK Manufacturing and is a full-time father to five children ranging from ages three months old to 18 years old. “I want to become a welder. I want to make more money,” he said laughing. “I want to be a good example to my kids. When they grow up they can go to (college) too.” When talking with Garay it’s hard to realize English is a newly learned language for him because of his sharp fluency. His native language is Spanish. He began the college courses close to two years ago along with his citizenship classes. The welding program is integrated with teaching adult basic skills and English as a second language. The program, Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training, (IBEST) allows people to earn a higher education while improving their basic skills which might prevent them from gaining a degree, Big Bend Community College Director of Basic Skills Sandy Cheek said. The program helps to educate the current work force.

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