Fort Bend County Breaks Ground on Vocational Training Center to Expand Rehabilitation and Career Pathways for Youth
What began as a $2 million federal investment in early 2025 is now moving from plan to reality in Fort Bend County.
County leaders officially broke ground February 18 at 122 Golfview Drive in Richmond on the new Vocational Training Center serving youth in the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department’s Juvenile Leadership Academy (JLA). The project, first approved by Fort Bend County Commissioners Court in February 2025, represents a significant expansion of career and technical education opportunities inside the local juvenile justice system.
For residents across Richmond, Rosenberg, and greater Fort Bend County, officials say the project is about more than construction. It’s about public safety, workforce development, and giving young people a realistic path toward employment and stability.
From Federal Funding Approval to Groundbreaking
In February 2025, Fort Bend County Commissioners approved $2 million in federal funds to establish a vocational training facility at the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center — an initiative described at the time as the first of its kind in Texas.
Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, who serves Fort Bend County Precinct 4, called the investment transformative.
“This is a transformative opportunity for the young people in our detention center,” McCoy said at the time of the funding approval. “I'm proud that Fort Bend County is leading the way in providing additional opportunities for children who are often written off by their communities."
The project also included a resolution requesting matching funds from the Texas State Legislature to support equipment, programming, and infrastructure costs.
Now, nearly a year later, the groundbreaking signals the county’s transition from funding approval to facility development — a milestone for one of Texas’ fastest-growing and most diverse counties.
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Expanding Workforce Training Inside the Juvenile Leadership Academy
The new Vocational Training Center will enhance services provided through the Juvenile Leadership Academy, a residential program operated by the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department. The JLA serves youth in a secure, structured environment focused on education, counseling, accountability, leadership development, and life skills to support successful reintegration home.
The facility will offer hands-on instruction in high-demand trades including:
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Welding
- Skilled construction (carpentry)
- Cosmetology
- Graphic and digital design
Instruction will be provided in partnership with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Wharton County Junior College (WCJC), aligning training with industry standards and regional workforce needs.
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Kyle Dobbs emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative.
“This has been a personal goal of mine for many years. Since 1996 at our Rosenberg Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program site, and more recently at our Arcola site in 2022, we have seen the tremendous value of vocational education and training for our youth,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs added that expanding these programs to youth in the residential setting ensures graduates leave with practical skills and credentials that prepare them for sustainable careers.
“These skills will properly prepare them upon graduation to begin pursuing rewarding and high demand careers,” he said.
(Source: Commissioner Dexter McCoy)Addressing Workforce Gaps in Fort Bend County and Beyond
The timing of the project aligns with broader workforce trends. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of job openings nationwide exist in sectors requiring specialized technical training. At the same time, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows growing interest in career and technical education among high school students.
Despite that interest, many industries continue to report a skilled labor shortage.
By equipping justice-involved youth with industry-recognized training in trades such as welding, HVAC, and carpentry, Fort Bend County’s initiative addresses two challenges at once: reducing recidivism and helping close workforce gaps.
Research from the RAND Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention indicates that education and vocational programming are associated with improved employment outcomes and lower rates of reoffending.
For Fort Bend County taxpayers, that means long-term cost savings and stronger public safety outcomes. For families of youth in detention, it represents a tangible opportunity for a different trajectory.
Building on Existing Educational Partnerships
Youth at the Fort Bend Juvenile Detention Center already participate in educational programs provided by Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. The new facility builds on that foundation by adding industry-based vocational instruction, expanded classroom space, administrative offices, and a computer lab.
The Fort Bend Juvenile Detention Center in Richmond houses up to 80 juveniles and provides medical care, psychological evaluations, counseling, recreation, and educational services in a secure environment.
The addition of the Vocational Training Center strengthens what county leaders describe as a comprehensive rehabilitation model — pairing academic instruction with hands-on job training and leadership development.
Juvenile Board Chairwoman Judge Toni Wallace underscored that broader mission at the groundbreaking.
“The Fort Bend County Judiciary proudly supports the development of this Vocational Training Center as a meaningful investment in the future of our youth. By providing hands-on training in high-demand fields, the center will equip young people with practical skills, industry credentials, and clear pathways to sustainable careers. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to rehabilitation, opportunity, and long-term success beyond the justice system,” Wallace said.
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What This Means for Fort Bend County Residents
As Fort Bend County continues to grow — both in population and economic opportunity — workforce readiness remains central to long-term prosperity.
The Vocational Training Center represents a coordinated effort by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, the Fort Bend County Juvenile Board, and state legislative partners including Representative Suleman Lalani and Senator Charles Perry to invest in rehabilitation strategies that also serve broader community interests.
Commissioner McCoy previously summarized the goal in simple terms:
"These young people will gain education and skills training that will help send them in a new direction, achieve gainful employment, and ultimately uplift themselves, their families, and all of Fort Bend County.”
With construction now underway in Richmond, county leaders say the project stands as both a public safety strategy and a workforce development initiative — one that reflects Fort Bend County’s commitment to accountability, opportunity, and long-term community stability.
For updates on Fort Bend County Commissioners Court initiatives and local public safety developments, stay connected with 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.