In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, Andrew Johnson III, head of workforce education at Lone Star College, delivered a compelling case for why Texas employers should view community colleges as their primary source for skilled talent. Johnson emphasized that with 95,000 students across North Houston, Lone Star College represents a massive, ready-to-hire workforce that corporate America has largely overlooked.
Johnson highlighted the financial advantage for employers, noting that staffing agencies typically charge 35 percent above wage for talent searches, while community colleges offer direct access to trained students at minimal cost. Major companies including Foxconn, Apple, SpaceX, SLB (formerly Schlumberger), and Daikin have already recognized this opportunity, visiting campus facilities and hiring directly from college programs.
The timing is critical for Texas employers as the state experiences a manufacturing boom requiring more skilled technicians, operators, and tradespeople than ever before. Johnson stressed the urgency, stating Texas is growing fast and corporate America needs trained employees, with the community college system positioned to deliver them.
Lone Star College's workforce model operates on three key pillars: customized training for targeted skill development, continuing education for rapid upskilling, and credit-based workforce pathways supporting long-term career mobility. The college is preparing to launch a fully autonomous manufacturing line by 2027, providing students hands-on experience with future-ready production systems.
Programs span advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, fiber/telecom, AI applications, and energy sector trades, all aligned with regional employer demand. The affordability factor remains significant, with Johnson noting that while for-profit technical schools often leave graduates with high five-figure debt, Lone Star graduates typically spend around $7,000 total while entering high-paying careers with strong employer demand.
Through dual-credit programs with local independent school districts, students can now graduate high school with up to 60 college hours at no cost, accelerating workforce readiness and reducing training time for employers. Employers are also creating co-op models, hiring students while they study, allowing them to earn wages and gain industry experience simultaneously.
Johnson's personal journey underscores the college's mission. A third-generation shipbuilder and welder who returned to school later in life, he attended four community colleges before earning his PhD at age 62. His philosophy centers on shortening educational pathways by bringing students and employers together directly on campus.
Lone Star College is inviting employers across Houston, North Houston, and the Cypress/Klein region to build custom training programs, recruit from the student talent pool, create on-campus recruitment pipelines, and develop co-op and apprenticeship partnerships. The full conversation with Johnson is available on The Building Texas Show, where he elaborates on the strategic advantages of community college partnerships for Texas businesses.
