AUSTIN, Texas — Leaders from across Texas’ construction materials sector gathered April 23 in San Marcos to highlight workforce development efforts and celebrate the growing impact of the Concrete Industry Management program at Texas State University.
The event, hosted by the Texas State University Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program, brought together industry stakeholders, policymakers and students to emphasize education and career pathways in aggregates, concrete and cement. The program distributes more than $100,000 in scholarships annually, helping students prepare for careers in high-demand construction fields.
Among those in attendance were Greg Abbott, Pete Flores and Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association President and CEO Andrew Pinkerton, along with members of the association.
Abbott emphasized the importance of workforce training programs in sustaining Texas’ rapid economic and infrastructure expansion.
“This program transforms the lives of everybody it touches. CIM graduates have 100 percent job placement and earn the highest salary of any degree on campus,” Abbott said. “CIM graduates don't just pour foundations; they become foundations that form the future of the great state of Texas.”
The CIM program combines classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience, preparing students for technical and leadership roles. It is one of only five such programs in the United States, with other locations in Tennessee, New Jersey, South Dakota and California.
Flores echoed the need to strengthen the workforce pipeline, noting that demand for skilled labor in construction materials continues to outpace supply. Drawing from his personal journey, he encouraged students to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the field.
He also spent time engaging directly with students before and after the gala, reinforcing the role of mentorship and professional connections in career development.
The Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association and its member companies have long supported the CIM program through scholarships, mentorship and industry partnerships. These efforts aim to ensure a steady flow of qualified workers into one of the nation’s fastest-growing construction markets.
“CIM is helping build the next generation of leaders who will quite literally shape the future of Texas,” Pinkerton said. “As our state continues to grow, the need for a skilled, well-trained workforce in construction materials has never been more critical. We are proud to support a program that is preparing students for meaningful careers in an industry that underpins every community in our state.”
Pinkerton added, “As Texas leads the nation in growth, it is programs like CIM that ensure we have the workforce ready to build what comes next.”
The CIM program’s National Steering Committee and Patron’s Board Foundation play a key role in sustaining scholarship funding and aligning curriculum with industry needs.
The Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association serves as a leading advocate for construction materials industries in the state, supporting policy engagement, public education and workforce training initiatives.
Originally reported by Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association in PR News Wire.
