One Texas higher ed institution’s state funding is tied to its student outcomes. That from Michael Bettersworth, chief innovation officer at Texas State Technical College (TSTC).

He says this drives the school to look at what the job market demands and then prepares its students to fill those positions. Sixty percent of TSTC’s budget is state funds.

WorkingNation sat down with Bettersworth at SXSW EDU in Austin.

“In 2022, our program mix is focused a lot on heavy industry. Manufacturing continues to be a major area. So, these are some of your stable areas – welding, machining, and then some specialty areas like instrumentation, process control robotics,” says Bettersworth.

“There are 50 different program areas that we grow around the state. Of course, your computer science, IT, programming, and health care-related programs. But all of our programs are focused on job demand.”

Bettersworth notes that TSTC is turning some focus on shorter-term for people who have been displaced during the pandemic. He says the college is also exploring short-term Pell Grants and income share agreements to make learning more accessible to people.

Learn more about Texas State Technical College.