FORT WORTH, Texas — Technology may drive innovation, but people drive progress. And Tarrant County College resides at the center of it all, building the skilled workforce that keeps North Texas industries competitive and its economy thriving.
Two Skills Development Fund grants from the Texas Workforce Commission — $462,352 total — will help TCC deliver customized training to 164 employees at DrinkPAK and GEV Wind Power. The instruction will build specialized expertise in advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, automation, and wind turbine maintenance and repair.
“The next chapter of North Texas’ economic success won’t be written by the companies we attract alone. It will be written by the talent we develop together,” TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. “Workforce development isn’t simply an education priority. It’s an economic imperative.”
DrinkPAK and GEV Wind Power operate in very different industries, but their challenge is universal: Technology moves fast. Skills must keep pace.
“The long-term strength of our workforce depends on partnerships between education and industry,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza said. “These Skills Development Fund grants will allow Tarrant County College to provide specialized, hands-on training that supports regional industries and prepares Texans for high-growth occupations.”
The grants provide $282,392 for training 104 DrinkPAK employees and $179,960 for 60 at GEV Wind Power.
DrinkPAK, an advanced contract manufacturer of canned beverages, handles everything from batching and filling to quality testing, warehousing and distribution. Its instruction will focus on manufacturing processes, supply chain management, quality assurance and automation.
“In advanced manufacturing, standing still means falling behind,” said Holly Schroder, DrinkPAK vice president for Organizational Strategy. “As DrinkPAK rapidly expands production capacity at our Texas facility, we need to leap ahead. We’re investing in the expertise our people need to operate increasingly sophisticated equipment, improve performance and keep our business moving forward. TCC will help us turn that investment into results.”
GEV Wind Power, a global specialist in wind turbine maintenance and blade repair, operates across the United States, UK Europe, Taiwan and Australia. Its customized program will deepen employees’ technical expertise and understanding of industry standards.
“A wind turbine is only as reliable as the people who maintain it,” said Rorry Phillips, vice president at GEV Wind Power. “Our industry demands precision, technical expertise and an uncompromising commitment to safety. Working with TCC will help us sharpen those capabilities and prepare our teams for the increasingly complex demands of wind energy.”
For Robert Sturns, executive director of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, economic growth means little if employers can’t find the talent to sustain it. “When colleges, businesses and workforce organizations work toward the same goal,” he said, “we create opportunities that strengthen companies and help North Texas prosper.”
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.