Summary
Texas State Technical College in Williamson County hosted its inaugural “Fueled for the Future” car show to bridge the gap between automotive passion and professional technical careers. The event featured a diverse lineup of custom vehicles and local vendors, highlighting how hobbies like car restoration and drifting translate into high-demand skills like welding and machining. By connecting young entrepreneurs and hobbyists to hands-on training programs, TSTC is preparing the next generation of the Texas workforce to meet the rapid industrial growth in Central Texas.
(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Williamson County hosted its inaugural “Fueled for the Future” Car Show and Community Event on Saturday, May 2.
The event, held at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, brought together a diverse lineup of classic cars, custom builds and unique trucks. Designed to highlight the intersection of automotive passion and technical education, the showcase featured local vendors and food trucks, offering the community a firsthand look at TSTC in Williamson County.
“We wanted to open our doors and show the community that the things they’re passionate about, like building and working on cars, are the exact same skills that lead to great careers,” said Mariann Burris, TSTC in Williamson County’s senior manager of campus enrollment. “It’s about showing that there’s a direct path from a hobby to a high-skill profession.”
In addition to the automotive showcase, the TSTC recruitment team was on-site to provide a look into the college’s hands-on programs. Visitors, including local hobbyists and prospective students, were able to see how skills like welding and machining are vital to the automotive and manufacturing industries.
The event also served as a platform for local creators, including 15-year-old Gavin Barragan. A Taylor resident and owner of the clothing brand Slammedwich, Barragan started his apparel company at age 13 specifically to fund his passion for drifting. Within two years, his business success allowed him to purchase and maintain his own drift car.
“I really didn’t know much about TSTC, but at their booth, it showed me what the students learn like welding and machining,” Barragan said. “It’s amazing what they do here. It’s an opportunity for me to go to school here, too.”
With the rapid industrial growth in the Hutto and Taylor areas, the event underscored TSTC’s role in training the next generation of the Texas workforce. Whether through traditional trade paths or entrepreneurial ventures, the showcase proved that the local community is ready to shift into high gear.
Registration for the summer and fall semesters is now open. For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.