(HUTTO, Texas) – Some recent graduates of Texas State Technical College are in-demand by several area companies despite the current economic climate.
Hunter Henry, a TSTC Career Services associate at the East Williamson County campus, said some companies within a 100-mile radius of Hutto have contacted him about multiple open positions they have available. He noticed that jobs for maintenance technicians are among the most plentiful.
Michael Smith, a senior field development officer for The TSTC Foundation, said TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs are also in demand from employee-seeking companies. Smith works with area companies to build relationships with the college.
“We push for quality,” he said.
Some of the common questions Henry has received from company representatives include how students are doing and if they are looking for jobs.
“I have gotten a lot of questions on what students are expecting to make after they graduate,” Henry said. “They are asking me for that information, which I thought was interesting.”
TSTC’s East Williamson County campus had about 40 candidates for graduation in the spring semester.
Some of the companies that have hired TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology graduates in the past include Athena Manufacturing in Austin and TASUS Corp. in Georgetown. Babeco Fabrication and Machining in Taylor has hired Welding Technology majors, and Cisco systems in Austin has hired Cybersecurity graduates.
John Newman, owner and chief financial officer of Athena Manufacturing, said his company looks for good students in the high-demand programs at the Williamson County campus. He said the company has about 30 open positions.
“We find students that are interested in what we do and are being educated to do what we do and we find that to be very helpful,” Newman said.
The current economic challenges are calling for creativity for TSTC and area companies alike.
Henry envisions virtual employer spotlights for companies to showcase their work to students, who are their prospective employees.
“One of the things I am excited about in the future is the fact that despite everything that has been happening, the unemployment rate in Texas has been significantly lower than the national average,” Henry said. “I can expect at least in the job market in my area, we will see a lot of resiliency and companies that are innovating and changing the way they do business.”
Lissa Adams, associate provost of TSTC’s East Williamson County campus, said she envisions a gradual shift to keep supply chains local. She said TSTC plays a role in economic development discussions as companies are enticed to come to Hutto and the surrounding area.
“They look at how quickly they can get talent and are trained,” Adams said. “Beyond our graduates, that speaks to our workforce. The sheer volume of companies that are interested in this sector, the manufacturing industry, highlights that need.”
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
