This op-ed is written by staff members of TSTC of East Williamson County.
East Williamson County is experiencing exponential growth in population and business. With this growth comes new career opportunities for a highly specialized workforce. Texas State Technical College and other training partners in the area are proactively addressing the need for this talent with programs such as dual enrollment programs, customized workforce training, and effective collaborations with industry partners. Samsung Taylor Semiconductor and others will be the new backbone for the economic growth of the East Williamson County region, and only smart cross-functional training can provide the talent needed to support these new opportunities.
As older Texans who work in technical fields begin to retire, well-trained workers are needed to replace them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2031 the United States will need more than 761,000 electricians, more than 447,000 industrial machinery mechanics, and more than 414,000 heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Infrastructure and available talent are what make East Williamson County desirable and drive economic development in the region. The county has an advantage in terms of available land and infrastructure. Collectively we must commit to supporting the incoming employers with the talented workforce they need while also continuing to support the foundational manufacturers that have already put the county on the map.
One way to prepare our workforce is to start early by encouraging students to pursue jobs in the trades and technical fields that will give them longterm careers and support industry’s investments in our region.
Dual enrollment is a great avenue for high school students to earn a diploma and college credit hours and learn the highly marketable skills necessary for a great-paying career at the same time.
In addition to exposure to these in-demand skill sets, there is also a financial benefit to dual enrollment classes. The cost for these dual credit college courses at TSTC is $33 per credit hour, which is often paid for by the school districts. These savings can open doors for students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to secure postsecondary certificates or degrees that are needed to support high-paying, high-demand jobs. The Hutto and Taylor independent school districts both have dual enrollment partnerships with TSTC.
Creating a highly skilled workforce cannot be accomplished by one organization alone. Businesses, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and economic development corporations can partner with TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department to create both short- and longterm customized training as requested by industry.
A prepared workforce is a strong workforce, and TSTC is ready to continue fostering this alongside city, county, state, ISD and community leaders.
