The need for highly skilled technicians in the workforce continues to grow. Additionally, Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties not only in Texas, but in the entire country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Texas State Technical College looks to grow alongside the population and deliver technical education and training to more students in more fields than ever before at its Fort Bend County campus in Rosenberg off U.S. 69.
“(Our expansion) is a data-informed decision,” Bryan Bowling, provost of the campus, said in a news release. “We have talked with the Texas Legislature, industry partners and local government to come to this conclusion.”
The expansion will include a new building of more than 100,000 square feet that will host an expanded Diesel Equipment Technology program, as well as the addition of both an Automotive Technology program and an Auto Collision and Management Technology program.
“We’re adding those programs based purely on market demand,” Bowling said. “There is a massive labor shortage in those areas. To fulfill our purpose as a college, we must include these programs.”
Kim Thompson, president of the local recruiting firm K Resources, finds that the industry partners who she works with are in constant need of new technicians and hires.
“At any given time, I could hire 10 to 20-plus technicians for my extensive client base in the mechanical contracting arena,” Thompson said. “The advantage of collaborating with TSTC graduates and alumni is the quality of training that each student receives. My clients often request TSTC students.”
The groundbreaking for the new expansion is set for Wednesday, November 29.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.