In a new episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sat down with Andrew Johnson III, head of workforce education at Lone Star College, to deliver a direct message to Texas employers: the future of your workforce is already on campus. With 95,000 students across North Houston, Lone Star College is positioning itself as a critical partner for companies facing rising demand for skilled technicians, advanced manufacturing talent, and AI-driven industry roles.
“With 95,000 students, that is a captured audience. Why wouldn’t corporate America have an office right here on campus?” Johnson emphasized, noting that staffing agencies typically charge 35 percent above wage for talent searches, while thousands of trained students are ready to work. Major employers such as Foxconn, Apple, SpaceX, SLB, and Daikin have already visited Lone Star College, toured its facilities, and begun hiring directly from its programs.
Lone Star College’s workforce model centers on three pillars: customized training for employer-specific needs, continuing education for rapid upskilling, and credit-based workforce pathways for long-term career mobility. The college is also preparing to launch a fully autonomous “lights-out” manufacturing line by 2027, giving students hands-on experience with future-ready production systems. Programs cover advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, fiber/telecom, AI applications, and energy sector trades, all aligned with regional employer demand.
Affordability remains a key advantage. While for-profit technical schools often leave graduates with high debt, Johnson noted Lone Star graduates typically spend around $7,000 total and enter high-paying careers with strong employer demand. Through dual-credit programs with local ISDs, students can graduate high school with up to 60 college hours at no cost, accelerating workforce readiness and reducing training time for employers. Co-op models allow students to earn wages and gain industry experience while studying.
Johnson’s personal story underscores the mission. A third-generation shipbuilder and welder, he returned to school later in life, attending four community colleges before earning his PhD at age 62. “I didn’t know how to get here. We want to shorten that pathway for students. The shortest distance between two points is to bring those two points together,” he said. This philosophy drives Lone Star College’s efforts to bring students, parents, and employers onto campus to see facilities, funding options, and job opportunities firsthand.
Lone Star College invites local employers to engage directly by building custom training programs, recruiting from its 95,000-student talent pool, creating on-campus recruitment pipelines, or developing co-op and apprenticeship partnerships. To connect with the workforce team, employers can contact Lone Star College directly. Watch the full episode featuring Andrew Johnson III at The Building Texas Show and subscribe to the series for updates on Texas communities and industries.
