Education

For Central Texas residents looking to build a career in the automotive industry without traveling far from home, a new training facility in Round Rock is creating more opportunities to turn hands-on skills into a promising future.

Austin Community College District (ACC) officially celebrated the opening of its new 36,500-square-foot Automotive Technology facility at the Round Rock Campus on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The expansion more than doubles the space previously dedicated to automotive education at the campus, giving students access to modern laboratories, specialized equipment and practical training designed around the needs of today's automotive workforce.

Funded through ACC's voter-approved 2022 General Obligation Bond, the project represents an investment in career and technical education across Central Texas. For students, families and local employers in Round Rock and surrounding Williamson County communities, the new facility offers a closer connection between education and employment in an industry undergoing significant technological change.

New ACC Automotive Technology Facility Brings More Hands-On Training to Round Rock

The newly completed Automotive Technology building provides dedicated training space where students can move beyond textbooks and classroom instruction to work directly with vehicles, diagnostic systems and industry-relevant equipment.

The 36,500-square-foot facility includes modern automotive labs, expanded hands-on learning environments and dedicated space for ACC's partnership with Toyota through the Toyota Technician Training and Education Network (T-TEN) program.

The building was also designed with the evolving automotive industry in mind, including the potential to accommodate future Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) training as demand for specialized electric vehicle maintenance and repair skills develops.

ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell-Lowery Hart said the significance of the project extends well beyond the physical expansion.

“Today is about more than square footage and buildings, as important as they may be. It’s about the lives that will be changed because of what happens in that square footage. This new building allows us to expand our automotive program, directly aligned with industry partners who are paying family-sustaining wages. We’re meeting a demand that’s already there, more quickly and effectively,” said Hart. “In Central Texas, these automotive jobs can provide a family-sustaining wage that doesn’t just meet the needs of our students and their families today. It can change generations of economic reality.”

For students who prefer learning by doing, the expanded facility provides an opportunity to develop technical skills in an environment that more closely resembles the workplaces they may eventually enter.

It also strengthens ACC's ability to prepare students for careers in automotive service and repair as vehicles become increasingly dependent on sophisticated electronics, computerized diagnostics and emerging technologies.

ACC's Toyota T-TEN Program Connects Students With Automotive Industry Careers

One of the new building's distinguishing features is its dedicated space for ACC's Toyota Technician Training and Education Network program.

The T-TEN program connects automotive education with Toyota's technical training standards, helping students develop skills relevant to professional automotive service careers.

ACC's T-TEN program recently earned recognition from Toyota as the nation's top-performing T-TEN school for student success. The recognition highlighted outcomes involving student graduation, retention and industry certifications.

That distinction brings additional attention to the automotive education opportunities available at ACC's Round Rock Campus, particularly for students seeking industry-aligned training and credentials.

Michael Shoebroek, ACC Automotive Department Chair, said the new facility will help students develop skills that translate directly into professional settings.

“We’re bridging the gap between classroom learning and what employers need. Students need access to the same technology and equipment they’ll encounter in the workplace, and these new facilities give them that opportunity,” said Shoebroek. “Our success isn’t measured by the size of the facility, but by the students who leave here with the skills, confidence, and experience to build a career.”

The expanded labs will allow students to gain practical experience with equipment and technology relevant to automotive careers while working toward credentials that can support their entry into the workforce.

For prospective students researching automotive technician training in Round Rock, Toyota technician education in Central Texas or hands-on automotive programs near Austin, the facility adds another option within the region's community college system.

Round Rock's Growing Workforce Benefits From Local Education Investments

The opening also reflects a broader effort to connect Round Rock's economic growth with accessible education and workforce development.

As businesses expand across Williamson County and the greater Austin area, employers need workers with the technical skills to fill specialized positions. Training programs that respond to those needs can help residents prepare for available careers while supporting the region's long-term economic development.

Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan attended the ribbon-cutting celebration and emphasized the importance of having educational opportunities within the community.

“To see this campus progress, I love this. We’ve always said in Round Rock, we want to be able to live, work, and play. Well, now you can live, work, and play and get your education right here,” said Morgan. “What ACC is doing will help when companies bring their businesses here, so we can fill those jobs and those roles. ACC does such a wonderful job. It’s been my honor to kind of just watch the growth and expansion of our educational services up in Round Rock.”

For families considering education after high school, working adults exploring a career change and residents seeking technical training, having these programs nearby can make continuing education more practical.

The facility also represents another step in the development of ACC's Round Rock Campus as a regional destination for applied technology education.

Students Gain Real-World Experience Before Entering the Workforce

While the new building brings additional space and equipment, the greatest measure of its value will be how students use those resources.

Automotive education requires more than understanding how a vehicle operates. Students must learn to diagnose problems, apply technical knowledge, work with specialized tools and develop the confidence to perform repairs in real-world situations.

ACC T-TEN student Grady Gonzales described why that hands-on experience is an important part of his education.

“The shops and labs portions of the class are the best part. Actually being able to translate what we learn in the classroom to the cars themselves really helps with the learning process,” said Gonzales. “It creates a real-world scenario that helps prepare you for the future in this field.”

That connection between classroom instruction and practical application is central to the facility's purpose.

By training with equipment similar to what they may encounter in professional automotive shops, students can build familiarity with workplace expectations before completing their education.

The approach also supports ACC's broader goal of preparing students for in-demand careers through applied learning, industry partnerships and workforce-focused credentials.

More ACC Round Rock Campus Expansions Expected in 2027

The Automotive Technology facility is one part of a larger expansion of applied technology programs at Austin Community College's Round Rock Campus.

Additional projects currently expected to open in 2027 include expanded facilities and training opportunities in Semiconductor Training; Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology; and Welding Technology.

Together, these projects are intended to increase ACC's capacity to provide hands-on instruction in high-demand technical fields.

The semiconductor expansion is particularly relevant to Central Texas, where advanced manufacturing and technology-related industries are an important part of the regional economy. Meanwhile, heating and air conditioning training and welding education support occupations needed across construction, manufacturing, building maintenance and other industries.

For Round Rock and neighboring communities, the investments mean more opportunities for residents to pursue specialized technical education closer to home.

The projects are supported through ACC's 2022 General Obligation Bond, which funds campus improvements and expansions intended to address educational and workforce needs across the college district.

What the New Automotive Technology Facility Means for Central Texas Residents

For prospective students, the opening provides expanded access to automotive career training at ACC's Round Rock Campus. Those interested in becoming automotive technicians or developing specialized vehicle service skills now have a larger facility designed for practical, industry-focused instruction.

For local employers, the expansion supports a pipeline of students preparing for technical careers, potentially helping businesses recruit workers with relevant training and credentials.

For families and taxpayers, the project offers a visible example of how ACC's 2022 bond funding is being used to expand educational infrastructure. The long-term benefits will depend on student participation, program outcomes and how effectively the training continues to meet employer needs.

And for Round Rock itself, the new facility adds to the community's growing educational resources, reinforcing the connection between local workforce development and the region's continued growth.

Residents interested in learning more about ACC's Automotive Technology programs and other educational opportunities can visit Austin Community College. Additional information about the college's 2022 General Obligation Bond projects is available at austincc.edu/bond.

With the automotive facility now complete and additional applied technology expansions planned for 2027, ACC's Round Rock Campus is continuing to grow as a place where Central Texans can develop practical skills and prepare for their next career opportunity.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more updates on Round Rock development, Williamson County education, Central Texas workforce initiatives and community investments shaping the future of the region.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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