At ISTC, we are proud to serve our industrial community as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to high-quality training and education. Our mission centers around promoting excellence in safety, workforce development, and community collaboration.

In this update, you’ll find:

• Exciting News about our latest Innovations
• Valuable Resources to Support Your Team
• Safety Events Not to Miss
• Employee Profiles

We’re excited to share these important developments as part of our continued commitment to empowering industry professionals and creating a safer, stronger community.

Michael Voivedich has joined ISTC as Chief Operating Officer for the Beaumont and Baytown facilities. He brings more than 24 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including 16 years at Valero Port Arthur in instrumentation/electrical execution and supervisory roles, and eight years at Indorama Port Neches leading turnaround planning and site-wide contractor services. A Lamar University graduate, Michael lives in Nederland with his wife and their two sons, who attend Nederland High School.

ISTC has a Development team in house. This high-tech team creates customized, state-of-the-art safety and onboarding, as well as site specific, videos designed to elevate employee corporate culture. From initial concept to final production, the ISTC team tailors every detail to align with your company’s brand, values, and objectives—ensuring your employees feel connected, informed, and inspired. Whether it’s onboarding, training, or communicating your mission, your safety values, benefits or company processes, ISTC brings your message to life through compelling, high-quality training content built for engagement, learning and impact. Watch the video below for more information

ISTC, in partnership with Lamar University’s Center for Resiliency, provides SmartStorm training – how to prepare for a storm, instructions for documenting damage for insurance claims and post storm clean up procedures. 

Linked below is a one-pager – perfect to distribute to your team for easy access to this valuable training.

ISTC’s Owner Site Requirements Matrix is your 24/7 resource for up-to-date information across Southeast Texas. Continuously updated for accuracy, the matrix helps you stay compliant and prepared.

Quickly find site-specific requirements with ISTC’s new Owner Requirement Chatbot. Just enter the plant name, and get instant, accurate details—saving time and ensuring compliance. Perfect for project prep or on-the-go checks.

ISTC Specialized Training Courses

Build skills. Support compliance. Strengthen job site safety.

• Excavation & Trenching Competent Person – Covers OSHA standards, soil mechanics, testing methods, and safe shoring practices.

• Fall Protection Competent Person – Focuses on OSHA 1926 Subpart M, emphasizing safe fall protection systems and procedures.

• Scaffold User Competent Person – Explores scaffold safety per OSHA 1926 Subpart L, including scaffold types, planking, and tie-ins.

• Frontline Supervisor – Equips new leaders with tools for effective communication, conflict resolution, and safety leadership. Offered monthly.

Courses available at ISTC or at your site.

Note: Completion does not designate “Competent Person” status; employers make this determination based on training, education, and experience.

PPE Reminder: Be Prepared for Hands-On Training

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for several ISTC hands-on training courses. Before your visit, check with the person who scheduled your training or call ISTC to confirm PPE requirements.

When in doubt—bring your PPE!

Your Home Medical services ISTC customers in both Beaumont and Baytown locations offering:

• DISA Drug Screens
• Breath Alcohol
• Fit Test
• Physicals
• Audiometric Testing

Schedule an appointment by calling 833.698.6825 or go online.

ISTC is proud to collaborate with key owner stakeholders across Southeast Texas to establish the Southeast Texas Safety Academy—an instructor-led training initiative designed to elevate our region’s commitment to safety, strengthen safety culture, and reduce life-altering injuries and fatalities across industry.

This academy delivers a combination of computer-based and hands-on instruction focused on the 12 Life-Saving Rules—a set of critical safety principles developed to prevent serious incidents in high-risk environments. These consistent, industry-wide standards aim to align expectations and drive meaningful, lasting improvements in workplace safety.

We are grateful for the support and leadership of our participating owner partners in bringing this vital program to our region:

Participating Owners and Topics

• Energy Isolation
• Working Around Mobile Equipment (WAME)

• Working at Heights
• Safe Mechanical Lift
• Excavation

• Line of Fire
• Driving

• Work Authorization
• Breaking Containment / OPE

• Confined Space
• Hot Work

• Bypassing Safety Controls

This two-hour training is now available. Schedule your team today!

Together, we are building a safer Southeast Texas—one standard, one worker, one life at a time.

Since its introduction through the Safety Council Security Consortium’s (SCSC) Basic Package, the Matrix background screening program has continuously evolved to address the dynamic needs of industry and site security.

• 2005: The program was enhanced with the addition of grading and adjudication for background and Patriot Act search results—launching the Background Check Graded Package.
• 2012: Further improvements were made, including expanded identity verification, alias tracking, federal criminal searches, and access to a national criminal records database.

Today, Matrix Background Check Graded 2.0 is recognized as the industry standard for contractor screening—trusted by facility owners and validated by the thousands of workers processed through the SCSC model.

ISTC is a TWIC provider. We also provide TSA PreCheck.

Get all the details today!

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting industry growth, collaboration, and safety excellence in our region, ISTC is proud to sponsor the newly formed Lone Star Industrial Group—a networking organization serving the Greater Mont Belvieu and Baytown areas.

Launched in June, this group brings together industrial leaders, contractors, and stakeholders to share insights, build relationships, and explore solutions that strengthen our regional workforce and operations.

Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month, at 9AM

At ISTC, we believe that strong partnerships and open communication are key to advancing safety, compliance, and workforce readiness across the industry. Sponsoring the Lone Star Industrial Group reflects our commitment to fostering those connections and empowering the people behind the work.

The next meeting of the Lone Star Industrial Group is August 5. Contact Shelly Vitanza, shelly.vitanza@istc.net if you’d like to attend. 

Progress on our new 20,000 sq. ft. badging facility gets real THIS MONTH when 67 MORE PARKING SPACES become available.

For several years, customers have lamented about the lack of parking but no more! The new lot will reserve front-of-building spaces for Conference Center visitors, improving event logistics and creating a more welcoming experience. ENJOY the new spaces!

Our new facility is due to be completed in February 2026. The main purpose of the new building is to improve efficiency, safety, and comfort for everyone on campus—especially during turnaround season. ISTC’s new space will streamline trainee flow, reduce wait times, and eliminate the need for temporary trailers. It also enhances the professional appearance of our campus and provides a safer, more comfortable environment for both trainees and employees.

Key Benefits:

• Dedicated client badging offices—a top priority for Security Managers
• Capacity to support future growth
• Improved trainee flow and experience
• Enhanced working conditions for staff

Lets Connect!

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