Amid a backdrop of economic expansion in the Lone Star State, Governor Greg Abbott joined forces with Texas A&M University to unveil the Coastal Bend Occupational Advanced Skills Training (COAST) program, an initiative set to propel Texas to the forefront of advanced manufacturing training. The announcement, made at the Port of Corpus Christi, heralds a new chapter in workforce development for the region, aiming to equip Texans with the skills essential for industries that are on the brink of explosive growth in the area.
According to a press announcement by the Governor's office, the COAST initiative is the brainchild of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and is modeled after the successful Rio Grande Valley Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Brownsville; the new program is specially designed to furnish the Coastal Bend workforce with cutting-edge abilities in fields such as cyber security, robotics, and pneumatics—and not just that, for it also aims to enhance foundational skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership.
During the event, Governor Abbott, flanked by notable figures such as Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo expressed his conviction that Texas is the most business-friendly state in the nation, a sentiment underscored by the state's highly-skilled workforce and balanced regulations. As stated by the Office of the Texas Governor, "Texas is growing rapidly, businesses are moving or expanding here, and the Coastal Bend is in the early stage of explosive growth," Governor Abbott remarked, noting that businesses require and are prepared to pay for a skilled workforce, "With the help of Texas A&M, our state is dramatically increasing jobs and skills training programs across the state."
