Lone Star College Positions Itself as Texas Employers' Most Affordable Training Partner

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 most strategic training partners. Johnson emphasized that with 95,000 students across North Houston, Lone Star College represents a massive talent pool ready for immediate workforce integration. Large employers including Foxconn, Apple, SpaceX, SLB (formerly Schlumberger), and Daikin have already recognized this opportunity, visiting campus facilities and hiring directly from college programs.

Johnson highlighted the significant cost advantages of partnering with community colleges compared to traditional staffing solutions. Staffing agencies typically charge 35 percent above wage for talent searches, while Lone Star College graduates typically spend around $7,000 total for their education and enter high-paying careers with strong employer demand. This affordability factor becomes increasingly crucial as Texas experiences a manufacturing boom requiring more skilled technicians, operators, and tradespeople than ever before.

Lone Star College's workforce model operates on three core pillars: customized training for employers needing targeted skill development, continuing education offering flexible rapid upskilling, and credit-based workforce pathways supporting long-term career mobility. The college covers programs in advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, fiber/telecom, AI applications, and energy sector trades—all aligned directly with regional employer demand. Through dual-credit programs with local ISDs, students can graduate high school with up to 60 college hours at no cost, significantly accelerating workforce readiness.

The college is preparing to launch a fully autonomous manufacturing line by 2027, designed to give students hands-on experience with future-ready production systems. Employers are increasingly creating co-op models with Lone Star College, hiring students while they study—earning real wages and gaining industry experience simultaneously. Johnson's personal journey mirrors the impact he now champions; as a third-generation shipbuilder and welder who returned to school later in life, he earned his PhD at age 62 after attending four community colleges.

Johnson's philosophy centers on shortening pathways between education and employment. Watch the full episode featuring Andrew Johnson III at https://youtu.be/Iu16a1J4JuY?si=dNOxfbrjXcObRlrt to understand how community colleges are transforming workforce development. The message to Texas employers is clear: the future workforce is already on campus, and now is the time to engage directly with this powerful talent engine.