South Texas is attracting some major manufacturing projects, and. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley wants to make sure the local workerforce has the skills to land the jobs that come with them. And for eligible participants, that training won’t cost a dime.
UTRGV received a $5 million federal grant from the US Small Business Administration to launch EMPOWER-RGV, an initiative offering hands-on training for workers, as well as support for small manufacturers.
Dr. Jianzhi “James” Li, who leads EMPOWER-RGV and founded UTRGV’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, said the goal is to help South Texans take advantage of the region’s growing industrial economy.
Training programs are expected to take about five days, with flexibility depending on industry needs. Training is scheduled to begin in mid-January 2027. The initiative will offer training in metalworking, CNC machining, robotics, and AI-enabled manufacturing—skills Li said are directly relevant to projects like Port Alpha.
South Texas is growing
Billions of dollars are being invested in manufacturing across South Texas, from aerospace and energy to shipbuilding and advanced technology.
One of the biggest examples is Saronic’s Port Alpha, a new shipyard under construction at the Port of Brownsville. The company broke ground on the more than $3 billion project on Sept. 30. It’s expected to create up to 10,000 direct jobs in fields including welding, machining, robotics, software engineering, and naval architecture.
But those jobs require specialized skills, and that’s where UTRGV hopes to help.
Those jobs could offer a path to higher earnings, depending on the position and experience. According to 2025 federal wage data, machinists earned a median of about $23 an hour in the McAllen and Brownsville areas, while industrial machinery mechanics earned roughly $24 to $27 an hour.
“For decades, one of our greatest challenges has been creating enough high-quality career opportunities for our young people here at home. Today, that picture is changing,” Li said in UTRGV’s announcement of the grant.
Who qualifies, and what will they learn?
The program is open to eligible RGV job seekers: high school and college students, veterans, and current manufacturing workers looking to develop new skills.
Depending on the course, participants may receive certificates of completion or industry-recognized certifications. The training is designed so that workers can take additional courses and build on their skills over time.
UTRGV is also developing portable equipment that could allow instructors to bring some courses directly to participating companies. It’s like bringing the classroom to the workplace instead of making workers travel to the classroom.
“What sets us apart is that our trainers are not just educators, they are active researchers and engineers involved in the development of autonomous technologies, bringing real-world R&D experience and live use cases directly into the training environment,” Li told COURIER Texas.
Safety will be part of the instruction, too. Participants working with manufacturing equipment will receive relevant safety training, while additional lessons on environmental compliance, waste management, and sustainable manufacturing may be offered depending on industry needs.
And the program isn’t just for individuals hoping to land a new job. Local small manufacturers can also receive technical assistance, business-development support, and guidance on pursuing federal and commercial contracts, helping them compete for opportunities as larger industries expand across the region.
How can you sign up?
Right now the dedicated EMPOWER-RGV registration website is still in development, but those interested can contact UTRGV’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing for more information.
