As Joe Arnold points out, the landscape of employment in Texas is shifting. While four-year degrees are valuable, they’re not the only path to a successful career. “We’re seeing growing demand for skilled technicians—people who can build, repair, operate, and innovate in essential industries like energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and IT,” he says.

That’s where career and technical education comes in. TSTC offers programs built around the jobs Texas needs to fill—today and in the future. With campuses across the state, TSTC provides students with hands-on training and certifications that lead directly into high-paying, high-demand jobs.

A Pay-for-Performance Model That Works

TSTC isn’t just another community college—it’s designed from the ground up to connect students to employment. One of the most unique aspects of its model? Performance-based funding.

Kendal Carrillo explains: “We get funded based on the employment outcomes of our graduates—so the better our students do after graduation, the better we do.” This incentive structure keeps TSTC laser-focused on student success and job placement.

It’s a model that holds the college accountable and ensures strong alignment with workforce needs. If a program doesn’t lead to employment opportunities, it gets re-evaluated or sunset. If a new demand emerges—like EV maintenance or precision manufacturing—TSTC builds or adjusts curriculum quickly to meet it.

Building Employer Partnerships

TSTC’s approach isn’t just focused on students—it’s built to serve employers too. Through deep partnerships with industry, they align curriculum to real-world needs, ensure graduates are job-ready, and even offer customized training for companies.

Whether you’re a small manufacturer or a global logistics firm, TSTC can work with you to:

• Shape training programs specific to your needs
• Develop pipelines of skilled interns or entry-level hires
• Upskill your current workforce through targeted certifications

As Joe emphasizes, “We’re not just training for the sake of it. We’re training people to meet your hiring needs and help your business grow.”

The Impact on Texas Communities

Beyond helping individuals build better lives and employers hire job-ready talent, TSTC’s programs contribute to local economic development. When students graduate into strong local jobs, communities thrive.

“We want to keep talent in Texas—especially in rural and underserved areas,” says Kendal. That’s why TSTC offers programs close to where people live and work, and works closely with workforce boards to identify gaps and opportunities.

The Texas Advantage

What’s clear from this episode is that Texas is taking a proactive, collaborative approach to building its workforce. From innovative funding models to strong employer engagement, TSTC represents a blueprint for how education can directly serve both students and the economy.

As Joe puts it: “The jobs are there. The talent is here. Career and technical education connects the two.”

Want to hear how your company can benefit from a skilled, local workforce trained for the future? Listen to Training your Texas Workforce with Career and Technical Education.