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Amid continued population growth and commercial expansion across the Houston region, Texas State Technical College is preparing to expand its workforce training footprint in Rosenberg with two new construction-focused programs.
The announcement follows the recent opening of the college’s $35 million Transportation Technology Center, positioning the campus for broader skilled-trade offerings beginning in fall 2026.
The building construction program—already established at TSTC’s Harlingen, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco campuses—will debut in Rosenberg as a craftsman-level certification.
According to a January news release, the certification will concentrate on foundational construction skills, preparing students for entry-level roles in residential and commercial building environments. Coursework is expected to emphasize safety, blueprint reading, framing techniques, tool usage and jobsite fundamentals.
By launching the program as a certification, college leaders aim to provide a quicker pathway into the workforce while leaving room for future credential expansion.
Alongside the building trades program, TSTC will introduce an electrical construction certification covering residential, commercial and industrial wiring systems. The program is designed to give students hands-on experience in electrical installation, code compliance and system troubleshooting.
While the electrical program will initially be offered as a certification, college officials have indicated plans to expand it into a full associate degree in the future. That transition would allow students to pursue more advanced technical and supervisory roles within the electrical field.
Both programs are slated to begin at the Rosenberg campus in fall 2026.
“We want to help fill the craftsman roles that four-year universities often overlook,” said Rick Vargas, TSTC’s statewide director of alignment for the program. “It’s easy to fill management positions, but much more difficult to meet the ever-growing demand for skilled craftsmen.”
College officials say the expansion directly responds to rapid growth across the Greater Houston area. As residential subdivisions, commercial developments and infrastructure projects multiply, contractors are facing persistent labor shortages in skilled trades.
Industry leaders have increasingly pointed to a widening gap between available jobs and trained workers. While university programs often emphasize management, engineering or business pathways, hands-on construction roles remain harder to fill.
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By adding these programs in Rosenberg, TSTC aims to create a localized talent pipeline for Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. Graduates could find employment with homebuilders, commercial contractors, industrial firms and electrical service providers throughout the region.
The move also aligns with statewide workforce initiatives focused on strengthening technical education and reducing barriers to high-demand careers.
As construction activity continues across Greater Houston, the college’s newest programs are positioned to support both economic development and long-term workforce sustainability.
Originally reported by Aubrey Howell in Community Impact.
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