KINGSVILLE (Oct. 21, 2025) — Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) has received a preliminary award that will launch the Workforce Initiative for Rural Expansion (WIRE), a four-year workforce development project designed to prepare Texans for careers in the telecommunications industry.
The four-year initiative will train broadband technicians through a statewide network of instruction and hands-on labs, focusing on upskilling and reskilling individuals in rural communities while also providing postsecondary pathways for high school graduates. Participants will earn stackable industry recognized credentials including NCCER, OSHA, and Fiber Optic Association certifications, preparing them for in-demand careers such as broadband installation, fiber splicing, wireless deployment, and network maintenance.
“This award is a transformative milestone for both Texas A&M University–Kingsville and the state of Texas,” said Dr. Robert Vela, President of TAMUK. “Expanding broadband access is not just about technology; it’s about, opportunity, and economic growth. WIRE positions TAMUK as the hub for preparing a new generation of skilled technicians who will connect our communities and close the digital divide.”
The program will launch at the Javelina Skilled Trades Academy in Kingsville and expand across Texas through partnerships with employers and regional training providers. Wraparound support services, including childcare assistance, transportation stipends, and career coaching, will ensure participants from all backgrounds can access these opportunities.
“WIRE is about more than workforce training. It is about creating career pathways that uplift families and communities,” said Jeff West, Chief Workforce Development Officer at TAMUK. “We are proud to partner with Rivera Telephone Company, eTex Communications, Digital Workforce Academy, Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend, and the Texas Telephone Association to align training with real employer needs. Together, we’ll strengthen the broadband workforce and provide lasting opportunities for Texans.”
“Broadband is about expanding infrastructure from home and business so that folks in the community get access to high quality broadband phone and internet services,” West added. “There is going to be a growth and expansion of that infrastructure to get more lines to people and providing more access to this technology. When you think about all that work that is going to be done in Texas to expand the infrastructure of broadband, that’s going to require the workforce to be trained, skilled and certified. That’s what we’re doing here at the Skilled Trades Academy.”
Industry partners are central to the program’s design and delivery. Rivera Telephone Company (RTC), a regional broadband provider, will play a key role in shaping curriculum and offering apprenticeships under the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship model.
“As a local broadband provider, Rivera Telephone Company is honored to support this groundbreaking initiative,” said Bill Colston III, General Manager and President of RTC. “Our partnership with TAMUK ensures that the training aligns directly with the skills needed by technicians in the field. By investing in people, we are building a workforce that will expand broadband access and strengthen rural Texas.”
With federal and state initiatives driving broadband expansion, the demand for skilled technicians is expected to grow steadily over the next decade.
Graduates of the WIRE program will be prepared to secure competitive-wage careers that support their families while strengthening the economic future of Texas as well as pursue a four-year engineering degree.
“What we are doing here at A&M-Kingsville is ensuring that these types of industry certifications are 100 percent applicable to a degree right here at the university,” Vela said. “It’s not just about providing the credential; it’s about infusing that credential into stackable pathways to postsecondary education for students from diverse and nontraditional backgrounds.”
About Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a member institution of The Texas A&M University System and the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher education in South Texas. The university is widely respected for its programs in engineering, agriculture, wildlife sciences, education, business, and music, and is expanding its impact through new initiatives in workforce development. By building innovative partnerships and engaging communities, TAMUK is creating opportunities that prepare students and professionals to meet the needs of today’s emerging economy.