Mike Anderson, Provost of the Texas State Technical College at New Braunfels, discussed the role of TSTC in training Central Texas workers at the State of Workforce & Higher Education conference at the San Marcos Conference Center last week. Co-hosted by the San Marcos Chamber and the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, the summit also featured guest speakers Rus- sell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of Austin Community College and Texas State President Kelly Damphousse.
While Lowery-Hart and Damphousse focused on efforts to reach out to potential ACC and Texas State students to encourage them to pursue college degrees, Anderson sees the role of TSTC as a faster and more direct route to match job seekers with employers.
TSTC prioritizes hands on training for in-demand jobs, according to Anderson. “We are working directly with employers to tailor TSTC programs to match industry trends … You’ll train with the same gear, the same systems, and the same standards trusted by companies like Tesla, Samsung and Chevron, so you’re job-ready from day one.”
One of the strengths of TSTC has been their visibility and recruiting efforts at Texas high schools. “We are constantly running ads, marketing, and utilizing social media to connect with folks. Our admissions team is always visiting campuses and engaging with the community to tell them about TSTC.”
Currently, the Waco based TSTC has 12 locations throughout Texas. The New Braunfels location offers programs in advanced manufacturing, building construction, industrial systems and welding, with a building construction technology program coming this fall.
Their website also lists the following programs, though not all of these are available at each location: allied health, aviation, computer & information technology, construction & maintenance, engineering & manufacturing, environmental & safety, hospitality and transportation.
Last December, TSTC announced an agreement with the Seguin Economic Development Corporation to build a 133acre permanent campus in Seguin at the intersection of State Highway 46 and Cordova Road. The new TSTC campus will provide training in advanced manufacturing, welding, industrial systems, engineering, health care and emerging technologies.
The most prominent topic during the State of Workforce & Higher Education was the burgeoning “Innovation Corridor” between Austin and San Antonio, filled with tech-focused industries creating a demand for workers trained in related industries. While Texas State President focused on research innovations and TXST’s pursuit of an R1 designation, Anderson stressed the role of TSTC in training manufacturing and factory workers in the latest AI and robotics technologies.
“These are the programs that we are fully engaged in, and as a college, continue to grow,” he said. I think the overall message is that TSTC is never stagnant. We are constantly growing, adapting, learning, and making decisions that help create a skilled workforce for Texas. This, in turn, means we are constantly aware and actively working to prepare our students for the “Innovation Corridor.”
In spite of their different approaches to training and educating job seekers, ACC, Texas State and the Texas State Technical College can collaborate to meet workforce demands.
“It is impossible for any one entity to fill the Texas workforce gap in the coming years. … I see all of us being partners in the venture. Each of our institutions fills a need and can certainly have crossover and upskilling for anyone who needs it. After talking to Dr. Damphousse and Dr. Lowery-Hart, I am excited about the future and the work we can do together!”
TSTC has already been developing strong ties with San Marcos and the surrounding area.
The New Braunfels TSTC campus, which opened in 2023, held their 2025 commencement ceremony at the San Marcos Convention Center. The ceremony marked the first group of students to earn the certificate of completion in Welding Technology – Structural Specialization at the campus.
Joel Anaya, of New Braunfels, was a TSTC Board of Regents honor graduate and soon after began work at United Alloy Inc. in Seguin as a welder.
