More talent, more training, in our pipeline.

CO Elementary-Middle School aerial
CO Elementary-Middle School aerial

A work-ready city begins with educational quality at the K-12 level in school systems where facilities are new and instructional caliber is high. Mitchell County’s three school districts, which include an accelerated school, score solid marks for diversity and high school graduation rates (with rates as high as 100%). Dual enrollment in areas such as welding, wind energy and computer networking mean that students can graduate career-ready or with a strong head start on a two-year or four-year college degree.

For students after high school graduation, nearby options for degrees and certifications include:

  • Western Texas College, where career training includes courses designed for success in multiple sectors such as business and technology, industrial employment (including petroleum technology) and business services. Certificates in specialized training typically take a year, while two-year Associate of Applied Science degrees offer a range of options.

  • Texas State Technical College, where options including both for-credit and not-for-credit coursework mean that even students already working full-time can find the flexibility and customization for their desired level of skills acquisition.

A talent pipeline of scale and skill.
Regionally, higher education paths offer everything from two-year colleges to leading four-year institutions including Texas Tech, a Carnegie classified R1 high research university. Over 90,000 students are pursuing their education within a one-hour drive of Colorado City, providing a dynamic talent pipeline.

Custom support, custom solutions.
Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas is a critical resource for workforce recruitment and training, providing employers with access to the Solutions state-wide comprehensive database where employers can post jobs and/or search for qualified candidates.

Workforce Solutions also offers several options for customized training, including:

  • On-the-job-training, which provides reimbursement after screening and assessment when employers hire individuals referred and approved through the Workforce Solutions system. Training cost reimbursement may be up to 50% of the wage rate for the employee, over a period generally ranging from three to six months.

  • Customized training, available for qualified projects. Whether the need is upskilling for existing employees or skills acquisition for new employees, custom training can be designed and delivered to the employer’s specifications. While Western Texas College makes this possible through programs such as the Skills for Small Business grant, Texas State Technical College offers a variety of online and in-person options for team training, either through credit or non-credit credentials. In a fast-evolving industrial environment TSTC can train your team in skills specific to your needs, working in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission.