Jobs & Skills Training

The City of Lockhart's Economic Development Department can assist with job training by providing information and by putting you and your business in touch with the educational resources to help your workforce elevate its knowledge, skills and capabilities.

The following are several resources contributing to the availability of an educated and skilled labor force:

Austin Community College

Austin Community College (ACC) is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas, dedicated to student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to achieve educational and career goals. With more than 43,000 credit students and an additional 15,000 enrolled in noncredit programs each year, ACC helps individuals gain new job skills, earn certifications, and advance their careers.

The ACC Hays Campus in Kyle (1200 Kohlers Crossing) was the first campus built in Hays County and continues to serve residents across the region.

In 2024, Lockhart was officially annexed into the ACC District—unlocking access to in-district tuition rates, career counseling, and job placement assistance. That same year, ACC purchased the historic Ford Building downtown to establish a permanent education and workforce training hub, expanding access to career-focused programs and development opportunities close to home.

Through partnerships with Lockhart High School, ACC, and Workforce Solutions, dual-credit, job-training, and certification programs are already available in high-demand fields such as CDL, HVAC, and welding—helping students and residents prepare for successful, sustainable careers.

Texas State University - San Marcos

Texas State's more than 35,000 students choose from 96 bachelor’s, 86 master’s and 12 doctoral degree programs offered by the following colleges: Applied Arts, McCoy College of Business Administration, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering, and the Graduate College. As an Emerging Research University, Texas State offers opportunities for discovery and innovation to faculty and students. Texas State's main campus is located in San Marcos, Texas, only 18 miles west of Lockhart. Texas State also offers a Round Rock Campus located north of Austin for upper-level courses.

Texas State University Star Park

The Office of Commercialization and Industry Relations coordinates the university’s commercialization and industrial activities, to enhance and promote its applied research and development activities, assist in the capture of commercial research and development funding, to enhance the University’s entrepreneurial platform, and to provide resources for the support and enhancement of ‘education with relevance'.

The office also coordinates the University’s activities affecting economic development in the region and state. They support and steward Angel and ‘VC’ funds to enable the University to leverage its IP portfolio. They serve faculty collaborating with or starting technology ventures and encourage technology entrepreneurship especially in underrepresented groups

Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a community partnership providing no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties.

Regional Universities

Beyond ACC, Lockhart is strategically positioned within 45 miles of some of Texas’s leading universities, providing access to top-tier degree programs, research partnerships, and a steady pipeline of future talent.