July 28, 2021

Central Texas businesses thrive for many reasons, but one of the most important is the region’s access to talent.

The Killeen-Temple MSA is home to approximately 110,000 millennials, 16% above the national average for an area of its size. The city is an easy commute from the nearby Austin and Waco. Several industry clusters are directly fed by eight local, specialized colleges and universities, including Texas A&M Central Texas and Baylor University.

The city’s veteran community also plays a key role in the trusted strength and reliability of Temple’s business community. The nation’s largest active-duty military post, Fort Hood, is less than half an hour drive from Temple. Approximately 500-600 veterans retire from the base monthly, with over 35% remaining in Central Texas, leaving well-prepared for private sector jobs within the city.

Temple, Texas offers a diverse pipeline of talent to fit the needs of many industries. Here are just a few.

Life Sciences & Healthcare Services

Possibly more than any other industry, Temple’s Life Sciences & Health Services sector is fueled by a steady stream of graduates from surrounding universities and colleges. Texas A&M College of Medicine in Temple provides students with access to residencies and fellowship training programs at both the Central Texas VA Hospital and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital, and the school was reaccredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Additionally, Temple College announced in June 2021 five healthcare-related training programs through the Business and Continuing Education Division.

Baylor College of Medicine’s new medical school campus is set to cement Temple’s reputation as a leader in the healthcare sector even further. The Houston-based college is working in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White to open their new campus in fall 2023. Over four years, 160 students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities technology driving the field of healthcare. The affiliation will come with the added benefit of the advancement of research and innovation in patient healthcare.

Business Support Services

More than 470 business support center establishments exist within Temple, including juggernauts like PDI, McLane Group and TTEC. But the city is also prepared for new companies, with several facilities and shovel-ready sites available for everything from logistics to distribution. In fact, in September 2020, City Council approved the purchase of 147 acres of land to the north of the city at Temple’s Industrial Park.

The local workforce is ready to support the industry with almost 9,000 local employees, too — many of whom have received higher education from local institutions such as University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB). UMHB provides students with a host of business undergraduate and master’s degree programs, preparing them for careers in supply chain management, small business management, finance and international business.

Manufacturing

In Q1 2021, Emsi reported 84,835 manufacturing jobs within a 60-mile radius of Temple. The city’s eight regional higher education institutions provide tech, engineering and manufacturing businesses with a surplus of well-qualified individuals from STEM concentrations.

Additionally, Temple has a bevy of technical schools and high school training programs. The Wildcat Workforce program at Temple High School connects learning to career readiness and workforce knowledge. Graduates of the Texas State Technical College can obtain associates degrees or certification in everything from aviation to robotics. Temple College’s Business and Continuing Education Program helps adults find new career paths in manufacturing, and the Texas Workforce Commission facilitates public-private partnerships to help businesses bolster their workforces with key talent from local institutions.

With a total of 57 higher education institutions within an 80-mile drive, businesses in Central Texas have access to the talent they need to be prepared for innovations in any industry. Get in touch or visit our Workforce and Demographics page for more information.