MCALLEN, Texas — South Texas College’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA) is preparing to host its annual 2026 Workforce Summit, an event designed to bring together education, business, and economic leaders to address current labor demands and shape the region’s future workforce.
The summit will take place on Nov. 19 at STC’s main Pecan Campus in McAllen.
Dr. Carlos Margo, dean of CATA at South Texas College, emphasized during a recent interview with the Rio Grande Guardian that the institution’s workforce initiatives—spanning academic programs, continuing education, and registered apprenticeships—are strictly demand-driven.
“In order for workforce programs at STC to be effective, we have to know what the community, what the business and industry representatives are needing as far as workers,” Margo said. “The focus of this event will be preparing today’s workforce for tomorrow’s jobs. In addition to current needs, we have to be prepared for the future.”
The summit aims to create a platform where employers, economic development organizations (EDOs), higher education institutions, and local school districts can align strategies.
Margo noted that collaboration with K-12 school districts is critical to building a sustainable talent pipeline early on.Through STC's apprenticeship and non-credit workforce offerings, students as young as 16 can access work-based learning and earn industry-recognized credentials prior to high school graduation.
“We need to consider the youth of today, and we need to provide them with not only classroom instruction and workforce training through STC... but we also have to give them the work-based learning opportunities as young as possible,” Margo explained. He highlighted that students can gain credentials like 10-hour OSHA safety certifications in just a couple of days, opening immediate employment pathways.
A major focus of this year’s summit will be apprenticeship programs. STC currently operates 16 registered apprenticeship programs across diverse sectors. The summit will feature recent graduations within three key areas: construction,registered nursing, and early childhood education.
Margo pointed to immediate labor shortages across the Rio Grande Valley in fields such as plumbing, electrical work,nursing, and advanced manufacturing, where local companies frequently approach STC to fill urgent vacancies.
To stay ahead of industry demands, STC continuously evaluates emerging technologies. Reflecting on past investments,Margo noted how STC invested over $100,000 in robotics equipment more than a decade ago—well before automation became standard across local manufacturing, produce, and healthcare facilities.
More recently, the college launched the first avionics program in the South Texas region. The inaugural class is set to complete the program in spring 2027, creating a direct talent pipeline for aerospace and aviation employers across the region, including SpaceX.
“We don’t develop programs in a vacuum,” Margo said. “Everything we develop with regards to workforce programs is based on actual need, and those decisions to develop programs are always data driven.”
With nearly 200 registrants already signed up, registration for the summit is nearing capacity.
Attending organizations include local school districts, economic development corporations, the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions, and private sector employers.
Following the summit, STC will host several related workforce events, including a Delta Region Community Information Session on Oct. 29 and an Avionics Employer Forum on Dec. 2.
To register for the summit or explore STC’s workforce training catalog, visit southtexascollege.edu/workforce-summit.
