Inside 12 stories driving Texas’ workforce future
This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter exploring how Texas community colleges are powering the workforce future and regional growth across the state. To receive this weekly look at our work, sign up here.
Texas colleges are reinventing workforce training
From semiconductors to hospitals, community colleges are doing more than filling jobs. They are working with employers to design programs and invest in long-term workforce development.
We gathered 12 examples of how Texas is preparing students for careers in tech, education, health care and infrastructure.
Connecting credentials to in-demand careers
Texas is already the 8th-largest economy in the world, but staying ahead means aligning education with workforce demand.
- House Bill 8 (2023): Funded community colleges based on outcomes, like credential completion and dual credit completion.
- Senate Bill 1786 (2025): Builds on HB 8 and strengthens alignment between education and workforce needs, reinforcing Texas’ commitment to linking credentials to real employment outcomes.
The result? A nationally recognized talent strategy that helps students move from no experience to well-paying jobs faster and with less debt.
Did you know? Since 2021, Texas 2036 has championed this transformation by helping colleges and employers connect more students high-value jobs and communities to skilled talent.
1.) Chips, robots and EV careers in Central TX
Source: Austin Community College
Austin Community College is creating direct pathways into high-tech industries by partnering with companies such as Samsung, Tesla and Applied Materials.
Students are gaining hands-on experience and certifications for in-demand jobs in chipmaking, robotics and electric vehicle production.
2.) Aerospace, biomanufacturing in Houston area
Source: San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is preparing students for some of Texas’ fastest-growing industries, including aerospace and biomanufacturing.
Students graduate ready for high-paying jobs in spacecraft fabrication, satellite assembly, vaccine production and more.
3.) Energy talent in the Permian Basin
Source: Midland College
Midland College is helping power the Permian Basin by training students in real-world energy skills like pipeline welding, safety standards and compressor calibration.
Need an electrician? This college also offers a four week pre-apprentice electrical class that prepares students for work as entry-level electricians.
4.) Innovative teacher apprenticeships in Dallas
Source: Dallas College
Dallas College is tackling the teacher shortage by turning preparation into a paid, full-time career path through Texas’ first registered teacher apprenticeship.
5.) Trusted cybersecurity training in San Antonio
Source: San Jacinto College
San Antonio College is training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through hands-on labs, employer-designed courses and a national designation from the NSA and Department of Homeland Security.
6.) Semiconductor training in North Texas
Source: Grayson College
Grayson College is training the future semiconductor workforce through a new Electrical Engineering Technology Lab, aligned with Texas Instruments plans for a massive semiconductor campus.
👉 Students graduate ready with automation, robotics and PLC skills for high-demand roles in chip manufacturing.
7.) Nursing apprenticeships in South Texas
Source: South Texas College
South Texas College and DHR Health have come together to rethink how nurses are trained and how to launch careers via apprenticeships.
The first class of apprentices walked the stage this spring with job offers.
8.) Growing ag talent in Northeast Texas
Source: Northeast Texas Community College
Northeast Texas Community College is reimagining what it means to teach agriculture at the Elizabeth Hoggatt Whatley Agriculture Complex.
👨🌾 Students learn to plant, harvest, manage livestock and monitor soil health using smart tech and data-driven tools.
9.) Building Texas’ border workforce in El Paso
Source: El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College is partnering with employers like Bain Enterprises and Vinton Steel to upskill workers in manufacturing and logistics.
10.) Radiology training in East Texas
Source: Kilgore College
Kilgore College in East Texas is providing students the opportunity to enroll in the Radiological Science program.
Students train on advanced 3D imaging tools that let them virtually explore human anatomy with precision and interactivity.
11.) Maritime careers in the Coastal Bend
Source: Del Mar College
Del Mar College‘s Coast Guard–approved maritime training program prepares students for life on the water, firefighting at sea and navigating in emergencies.
🌊 Students graduate with a federally recognized credential that clears the way to immediate employment at sea, in port operations or in logistics.
12.) Focusing on global trade in Laredo
Source: Laredo College
Laredo College is helping power the supply chains that drive Texas’ economy through the Global Import, Export & Logistics Center.
🚢 Aspiring customs brokers, freight forwarders and supply chain analysts train through hands-on coursework in import and export regulations.
This is what progress looks like 👇
At Texas 2036, we’re proud to have supported the transformation of Texas’ community colleges from the start. It began in 2021 with foundational research that helped shape House Bill 8.
This year, Texas built on that foundation in the following ways:
- refining how community colleges are funded to better reflect student return on investment
- expanding transfer outcomes, so community colleges are rewarded for preparing students for continuing education, regardless of whether it is a public or private institution
- extending free dual credit access to incarcerated individuals
As Texas continues to grow, our community colleges will remain core to our efforts to build a competitive, inclusive and opportunity-rich future for all.
We want to hear from you.
Are community colleges the key to unlocking the Texas Miracle? Let us know your thoughts.