Across the state, Texas is leading a workforce revolution.

In 2025 alone, lawmakers committed more than $10 billion to strengthen education and workforce systems, including $153 million specifically for career and technical education (CTE) in K–12. Voters will also weigh in this November on Proposition 1, which could establish an $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to expand career training programs statewide. And just this year, more than $1.6 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants have already been awarded to schools to expand high-demand training programs.

These investments reflect a statewide commitment: equip Texans with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. From advanced technical certifications to soft skills training through programs like Skills for Success, the focus is clear, workforce readiness is not just an educational priority, it’s an economic imperative.

At BGK, we’re proud to be part of this momentum, designing campus facilities that support technical training, soft skill development, and long-term economic growth.

Aligning space with skill

Workforce education is evolving, and so are the spaces that support it. Today’s training environments need to be flexible, adaptable, and closely aligned with real-world conditions. Whether it’s a welding lab, an advanced health simulation suite, or a multipurpose CTE building, design plays a critical role in shaping how, and how well, students learn.

We approach these projects with a deep understanding of how design can impact performance. That includes:

• Supporting hands-on instruction with industry-relevant equipment layouts

• Creating collaboration zones that foster teamwork and communication

• Designing spaces that serve both students and adult learners

• Prioritizing flexibility to meet future program and industry needs

From K–12 districts expanding their CTE offerings, to community colleges building regional partnerships, to TSTC campuses preparing for expansion under Proposition 1, institutions across Texas are reimagining what workforce development looks like, and what it demands from the built environment.

Training spaces that work

Austin Community College’s Highland Campus

At the heart of Central Texas, ACC Highland represents a bold model for modern workforce education. BGK has played a central role in shaping this hub of innovation through multiple projects, each one preparing students for real-world careers through hands-on, industry-aligned learning environments.

ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Program: The Advanced Manufacturing program prepares students for high-demand careers in robotics, electronics, and semiconductor fabrication. BGK designed flexible labs and the NXP Advanced Manufacturing Lab, where students train in Industry 4.0 technologies and schematic reading.

IMPACT Lab & AMP Lab: The IMPACT Lab serves as a student‑industry incubator with digital fabrication tools, while the AMP Lab allows students to move from CAD to prototyping. Both labs encourage hands-on learning.

Culinary Arts: This purpose-built facility supports aspiring chefs and pastry professionals with state-of-the-art kitchens and tools. Students also operate Eatery 73, a student-run restaurant that connects learning with the community.

Arts, Digital Media & Communications: BGK transformed former mall space into a creative workforce hub featuring music production studios, game design labs, TV production suites, art galleries, dance studios, and two performance theaters. The spaces promote hands-on learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration, preparing students for Austin’s booming creative industries.

ACC’s Southeast Travis County Campus

Further south and out on the horizon, BGK has been selected to lead the design of ACC’s all-new Southeast Travis County Campus, a major initiative funded by $200 million from the college’s 2022 bond program. The new campus will include construction of several workforce-oriented buildings, with spaces that may support:

• General Education classrooms

• Automotive Technology and Auto Collision Repair labs

• Building Construction Technology shops

• Welding and Advanced Manufacturing labs

• HART (Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology) facilities

Growing Texas talent together

Texas’ future depends on its people—and on the spaces that prepare them. As statewide initiatives like Skills for Success expand soft skill training, and Proposition 1 may establish a dedicated fund for technical education capital, there’s never been a more important time to invest in workforce infrastructure.

BGK is honored to support this effort, designing environments where students gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Want to learn more about how design can support your workforce mission? Let’s talk.