At an Oct. 6 higher‑education panel hosted by The Business Press, leaders from Fort Worth’s business community, colleges and nonprofit agencies outlined a series of partnerships designed to help students stay in school and prepare for well‑paid careers in the region.
Why the push matters
“Every single opportunity for a young person matters because it may be the one opportunity they need to break that educational and social cycle of poverty,” said James Hurley, president of Tarleton State University. Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Steve Montgomery echoed the sentiment, noting that finding and keeping skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges facing local employers.
“Fort Worth cannot keep relying on people moving to the area to fill jobs. That’s not a sustainable model. We really have to grow our talent here,” Montgomery said.
Scholarships and apprenticeships
One concrete result of the collaboration is the Autobahn Fort Worth scholarship program. After a 2023 chamber‑organized tour of Fort Worth ISD’s automotive programs, Autobahn partnered with Tarrant County College (TCC) to award $50,000 in scholarships to ten automotive‑technology students, each paired with a paid internship in a dealership service department.
Texas Wesleyan University is extending that pathway. President Emily Messer announced a joint effort with Autobahn that will let scholarship recipients continue from TCC toward a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences.
Curriculum that matches industry needs
Montgomery also highlighted a recent curriculum review that led an employer to request the removal of an outdated practice. “We quit using that four years ago,” the employer recalled, emphasizing the importance of keeping training current.
Chancellor Elva LeBlanc of TCC said the college’s business advisory committees regularly review courses and recommend updates. “Employers want teamwork and empathy—skills workers need as artificial intelligence reshapes their fields,” she explained.
Supporting students beyond the classroom
Partnerships are also addressing practical barriers to graduation. Many TCC students balance classes with jobs, lengthening their time to degree. Scholarships, apprenticeships and a free‑ride program with Trinity Metro help students finish sooner.
Child‑care options are another focus. At TCC’s Northwest and South campuses, a collaboration with Tarrant County and Child Care Associates provides Head Start and Early Head Start centers, allowing parents to attend classes while their children are cared for.
Deputy Chief Monica Martin of the Fort Worth Police Department shared a success story from the college’s public‑safety partnership. When a criminal‑justice student faced a personal crisis, Martin connected her with resources, illustrating how trust built through these programs can extend beyond career preparation.
Keeping talent in Fort Worth
LeBlanc reported that about 85 % of TCC graduates remain in Tarrant County, but retaining that talent depends on students completing their education. Montgomery urged employers to invite students onto work sites early—whether a hospital tour that reveals accounting roles or a dealership visit that showcases automotive careers.
“When we are building trust with them, trust me, they do reach out to us in that time of need,” Martin said.
Looking ahead
Texas Wesleyan is embedding career preparation into all undergraduate programs, starting with a sophomore career‑readiness course, job‑shadowing opportunities and junior‑year internships. Messer emphasized that waiting until senior year is too late: “It will be built into their degree program from day one.”
These coordinated efforts illustrate how Fort Worth’s business leaders, educators and community groups are working together to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers, reduce reliance on out‑of‑area hires, and give families the support they need to break cycles of poverty.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
