Powering the Future: TSTC’s Electrical Construction Program Answers a Growing Workforce Demand

Every new home, hospital, school, manufacturing facility and commercial development begins with one essential need: power.

Across Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area, rapid population growth and expansion are creating demand for skilled electrical construction professionals who play a role in bringing projects to life and keeping communities connected.

Recognizing this demand, Texas State Technical College is launching its Electrical Construction program at the Fort Bend County campus this fall.

Meeting a Critical Need

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, long-term occupational projections confirm that electricians are the fastest-growing skilled trade occupation in the state’s construction industry. As Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area continue to expand, employers are seeking skilled workers who can enter the workforce prepared with the technical knowledge, safety awareness and hands-on experience needed to succeed.

Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction program was developed with those needs in mind. Students will receive training in residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems while learning blueprint reading, electrical theory, safety standards and industry best practices. Through a new career pathway provided by House Bill 1391, students who complete all requirements of a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation approved career and technical education program may be allowed to take the State Residential Wireman exam and receive their license upon passing the exam. This new pathway is an alternative to the current requirement of earning 4,000 verifiable on-the-job training hours under the supervision of a master electrician to apply for the State Residential Wireman exam.

Powering Careers Across Texas

For TSTC students considering a career in the electrical field, opportunities abound. Students can pursue careers such as electrical helpers, residential wiremen, commercial electricians, industrial electrical technicians and apprentices working toward a journeyman status. As they gain experience and additional certificates, many electrical professionals advance into supervisory positions, project management roles or business ownership.

Entry-level electrician professionals can earn competitive pay and their earning potential typically increases as they gain experience. That potential is one of the reasons Keysha Fonteneaux, an Electrical Construction instructor at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus, was initially drawn to the trade.

“I was looking for a career path that would help me become a business owner,” Keysha said. “I enjoy working with my hands, and depending on how far I wanted to take my career, I knew I could become a business owner and have my own electrical company. I also thought about becoming an electrician or an instructor.”

From the Field to the Front of the Lab

Keysha’s journey reflects the opportunities available in the industry. Born in Louisiana, she moved to Missouri before settling in Fort Bend County. She worked more than 10 years in the electrical construction industry, where she developed expertise in electrical installation, troubleshooting, code compliance and job-site safety.

“I am a hands-on individual who is also competitive,” Keysha said. “I would challenge teammates to see who could get a job done faster.”

That competitive spirit helped her develop into a skilled electrician.

“The rewarding part of the job was seeing a building you worked on come alive,” Keysha said.

Today, Keysha is bringing that same passion into the Electrical Construction program at TSTC. Her path to the college began with a simple moment of curiosity as she drove past the Fort Bend County campus every day.

“I was curious what instructor opportunities there might be in my field,” Keysha said. “I decided to search on TSTC’s website and I saw a vacancy for an Electrical Construction instructor. I applied.”

Now, Keysha is helping build the program from the ground up and will begin preparing students for careers in a trade she knows firsthand.

A Mentor with a Mission

What inspired Keysha’s transition from the industry to a technical college was the opportunity to invest in future talent.

“I would like to see who has the potential to do this job so I can help them grow,” Keysha said. “Our students will stand out because they will have the skills, knowledge and understanding of the language needed to have successful careers.”

Her own career success was shaped by mentors who challenged her to grow professionally. One mentor became a father figure who recognized her potential so she could become a skilled electrician.

Now Keysha’s goal is to provide that same guidance to her students. She wants them to be prepared to leave TSTC with confidence, technical skills and a strong work ethic.

Learning by Doing

That preparation begins in TSTC’s training lab, where students can develop skills in a safe setting before entering the workforce.

“New graduates will have an advantage when they start their careers because they were trained in a hands-on lab setting,” Keysha said.

The modern lab experience represents an advantage for TSTC students compared to the training opportunities that were available when Keysha first entered the trade.

“When I first started learning the trade, there were only classes a few nights per week,” Keysha said.

Building Confidence through Hands-on Training

Keysha believes one of the benefits of the TSTC lab is the freedom to learn through mistakes.

“When you work in the field with minimal knowledge, making mistakes will cost money,” Keysha said. “In our lab, students will get to try out new things, experiment, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes without the demands of being in the field.”

Keysha is passionate about helping students gain confidence in their ability to perform the work and understand the real-world applications they will encounter in the workforce.

Training for Tomorrow

As Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area continue building for the future, the demand for skilled electrical professionals will increase. Through TSTC’s Electrical Construction program, students will be ready to work and meet the demand.

“When our graduates begin working in the field, they will realize my impact when they perform a job and say, ’this is what she was explaining to us,’” Keysha said.