TSTC Alumni Build $72M Hub to Train Next Generation of Texas Trades

WACO, TX – March 23, 2026 – On the campus of Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Waco, a new landmark stands not just as a building, but as a testament to a full-circle journey. The recently completed $72 million, 120,000-square-foot Construction Technologies Center, built by Rogers-O'Brien Construction (RO), is now buzzing with students. But for five members of the construction team, the project was a profound homecoming.

These five TSTC alumni returned to their alma mater not as students, but as the skilled professionals who would build the very classrooms and labs where the next generation will forge their own careers. The state-of-the-art facility, which officially opened its doors to students on February 2, represents a major investment in Texas's workforce and a powerful story of graduates giving back to the institution that launched their careers.

A Full-Circle Homecoming

At the peak of the project, the Rogers-O'Brien team included five TSTC graduates whose expertise was instrumental in bringing the massive facility to life. The alumni team included Project Manager Seth Blanchard (Class of 2016), Assistant Project Manager James Stefka Jr. (Class of 2016), Field Foreman Ulises Camacho (Class of 2018), Quality Manager William Holmes III (Class of 2020), and Project Engineer Daniel Sprinkle (Class of 2024).

For many, the project was deeply personal. Seth Blanchard, who led the project for RO, has a connection to the college that spans generations.

"This place means a lot to my family," Blanchard said. His mother is also a TSTC alum. "TSTC helped launch my career, so getting the chance to come back and build the facility where the next generation will learn these trades is something really special."

The project also provided a unique, real-time educational opportunity. Daniel Sprinkle began his work on the Construction Technologies Center as an intern while still enrolled at TSTC. Upon completing his degree, he was hired full-time as a project engineer, having already played a role in constructing his own campus.

"Being part of this team while I was still a student was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Sprinkle reflected. "Now when I walk through it and see students learning here, it's pretty amazing knowing we helped create that opportunity."

Tackling a Critical Statewide Shortage

The $72 million investment is more than just a new building; it's a strategic response to a pressing economic challenge. Texas is facing a critical shortage of skilled trades professionals, a gap that threatens to slow its booming economic growth. According to state workforce data, approximately 54% of Texas jobs are classified as middle-skill, requiring technical credentials but not a four-year degree. However, only 45% of the state's workforce is trained to fill these roles, creating a significant skills gap.

Fields like construction are feeling the pressure acutely. The Texas Workforce Commission projects job growth for first-line construction supervisors to be as high as 23% through 2030, with strong demand also seen in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades. The new TSTC facility is designed to meet this demand head-on.

Braylon Byford, Director of RO Waco, emphasized the project's role in strengthening the state's foundation.

"At RO, we talk about building a better Texas, and that starts with investing in the people who will build it," Byford stated. "We're excited to have built this space because TSTC is preparing the skilled workforce our industry depends on. Seeing their graduates come back to campus to help build this facility makes the project especially meaningful."

A State-of-the-Art Hub for Hands-On Learning

The Construction Technologies Center was designed from the ground up to be a centralized, cutting-edge hub for hands-on education. It consolidates programs previously scattered across the Waco campus, including Building Construction Technology, Electrical Construction, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology, and Solar Energy Technology.

This integration fosters collaboration and provides students with a modern learning environment that mirrors a real-world job site. The building, highly visible from Interstate 35, serves as a massive showcase for TSTC's commitment to the trades. Inside, large open spaces, glassed-in labs, and a shaded outdoor work area provide ample room for instruction. The facility is designed for adaptability, ensuring it can evolve with industry needs.

Specific programs will see significant upgrades. The Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology program now has access to an indoor "sandbox" for trenching and underground work, regardless of the weather. The Electrical Construction program has doubled its lab space for both commercial and residential wiring practice. This focus on immersive, practical training is a hallmark of TSTC's educational model.

A Blueprint for Workforce Development

The project underscores a deep, ongoing partnership between Rogers-O'Brien and TSTC that extends beyond this single building. RO leaders are actively collaborating with the college to help shape and evolve its curriculum, ensuring that what students learn in the classroom directly translates to the skills needed on modern job sites.

This model of industry-education collaboration is a cornerstone of TSTC's success. The college utilizes a network of industry advisory boards to keep its programs aligned with current standards, a strategy that has yielded impressive results. TSTC boasts a 94% job placement rate for its graduates and is ranked as the #1 Best Construction Trades Associate Degree School in the nation.

The partnership is a clear win-win: TSTC produces highly employable graduates, and companies like RO gain access to a pipeline of well-trained talent ready to contribute from day one. This commitment to building the future workforce is a consistent theme for RO, which has a long history of constructing K-12 schools and higher education facilities across Texas.

With a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for March 26, the campus community will formally celebrate the building's completion. Yet for the students already utilizing the new labs and for the alumni who built them, the facility is already a resounding success, laying the foundation for countless careers and strengthening the future of the Texas workforce.