(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus will transition its Advanced Manufacturing program this fall to help meet the demand for skilled industrial maintenance technicians across South Texas.
The transition also includes programs at Abilene, Fort Bend County, Marshall, New Braunfels, North Texas, Sweetwater, Waco and Williamson County campuses.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas has more than 600,000 job openings across its labor force, with skilled trades and manufacturing among the industries facing the greatest workforce shortages.
The program will offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Maintenance, along with certificates in Industrial Maintenance and Advanced Manufacturing. Students will receive hands-on training in automation, robotics, electrical systems, troubleshooting and industrial maintenance technologies designed to prepare them for careers in modern manufacturing.
“The Advanced Manufacturing program is addressing the critical shortage of automated systems and industrial maintenance technicians across the state by moving away from traditional, siloed training models with modern industry demands,” said Carlos Reyes, TSTC’s Advanced Manufacturing program team lead at the Harlingen campus.
Reyes said the program’s hands-on training will prepare students to contribute to the workforce.
“By working directly with industry-standard programmable logic controllers, robotic arms, hydraulics and pneumatics, and complex electrical circuits, students will develop the practical skills and safety habits required on the production floor,” he said.
As the Rio Grande Valley continues to grow as an industrial and technological hub, Reyes said establishing a pipeline of advanced manufacturing technicians is essential to strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.
“The goal is to help transform the Rio Grande Valley from a geographic transit point into a self-sustaining economic powerhouse driven by skilled local talent,” he said.
Reyes added that TSTC is building partnerships aimed at expanding career opportunities for students.
“Our program is building key regional partnerships to ensure Advanced Manufacturing students have a direct pipeline into high-wage careers across the region and throughout Texas,” he said.
Registration for the fall semester is now underway at TSTC. For more information, visit TSTC.edu.