Tesla’s START Manufacturing program gives students hands-on experience & customized training for high-demand manufacturing careers at Tesla
Austin Community College District (ACC) and Tesla announce Tesla START Manufacturing at ACC. The intensive training program is the first of its kind in the nation and will provide a training pipeline for high-demand careers at Tesla.
“Tesla believes strongly in collaboration. When business and education come together, we build connections that make college affordable and link students directly with employers so they can go straight into a promising career. ACC is excited to work with Tesla to develop cutting-edge training programs that prepare students for one of the region’s fastest-growing industries,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. “Manufacturing today isn’t what it used to be. It’s about getting creative to design and build machines of the future. Tesla is at the forefront of that innovation, and now ACC students will be on the front lines.”
Tesla START Manufacturing at ACC builds on the college’s rapidly growing manufacturing programs. The 14-week program is specifically designed to prepare students for careers at Tesla’s manufacturing facilities. Selected students will be hired by Tesla, enrolled in the program, and paid during their training. They’ll work with new and advanced technologies such as robotics and control systems to design, build, and maintain cutting-edge machines. Students accepted into the program by December 2021 get financial support to help cover the cost of their tuition.
“Tesla is changing the way we think about manufacturing. This isn’t assembly-line work. It’s building and maintaining complex and intelligent machines,” says Laura Marmolejo, Manufacturing department chair. “It takes specialized training, and ACC stands ready to deliver just that. We have the advanced equipment and customized labs that can prepare a highly skilled workforce to meet our region’s needs.”
Manufacturing is a $12.3 billion industry in Central Texas, and it continues to expand. With the announcement of Tesla’s new factory, thousands of new jobs are predicted.
“It is critical we train our existing workforce to meet the manufacturing needs of Central Texas,” says Ed Latson, Austin Regional Manufacturing Association executive director. “With the potential for thousands of new jobs at Tesla alone, this partnership will be crucial to making sure the right training is provided for the right jobs. This will be another pathway at ACC for people to find a sustainable and meaningful career in manufacturing.”
The inaugural cohort is expected to begin August 2021, with a new cohort to start each month afterward. Applications and interviews will open later this month. Information and recruitment sessions will be scheduled soon.
To learn more, visit austincc.edu/tesla.