BLINN CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF WALLER WORKFORCE & TECHNICAL EDUCATION COMPLEX

  

The Blinn College District celebrated the grand opening of its new Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex on Wednesday, marking an important step in the College District’s efforts to expand access to workforce training and technical education in Waller and Harris County.

Located at 30029 Binford Park Road in the City of Waller, the 17,000-square-foot complex is designed to serve students, employers, and the region’s growing workforce needs. The facility includes three lecture classrooms, a computer learning lab, a medical learning lab, a mechatronics/advanced manufacturing lab, a skilled trades lab, and faculty and staff offices.

Registration is currently open for summer II and fall classes at the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, as well as across Blinn’s six campuses. The Complex will host its first classes with the summer II term beginning Monday, July 6. Prospective students can learn more and apply at www.blinn.edu/waller or call 936-463-5152 for additional information.

The grand opening ceremony featured remarks from Blinn College District leaders, local officials, and community partners, followed by facility tours and lunch for attendees.

“This is an exciting day for Blinn College, the City of Waller, and the surrounding region,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “The Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex represents our commitment to providing students with access to high-quality education and hands-on training that leads to meaningful career opportunities. We are grateful to the many partners who helped make this facility possible and who share our vision for strengthening the regional workforce.”

Blinn will offer a wide array of programs at the new facility, including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certification, certified clinical medical assistant, HVAC, carpentry, construction management, and expanded mechatronics and advanced manufacturing courses. The medical learning lab will support students pursuing training in healthcare and emergency medical services, while the skilled trades and advanced manufacturing spaces will provide hands-on learning environments aligned with local industry needs.

The new complex will allow Blinn to expand beyond its current evening offerings at Waller ISD facilities and provide daytime classes, creating greater access and flexibility for students.

“The Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex is designed to provide students with the skills employers need most,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor for Applied Sciences, Workforce, and Economic Development. “By working closely with local industry, we have tailored our programs to meet workforce demand while giving students the opportunity to pursue rewarding, high-demand careers in their own community.”

State Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst, who secured vital funding for the construction and development of the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, emphasized the importance of hands-on technical education.

“With AI coming, with this growth coming, and with everything changing, this campus is extremely important because we need hands-on training,” Kolkhorst said. “We are excited about the future, and the best days of Texas are ahead of us because of institutions like Blinn College.”

State Rep. Mike Schofield said the facility will help meet the educational needs of one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas.

“When their children are ready to pursue opportunities that will prepare them for the workforce, help them build a career, feed their families, and pursue the American dream, they are going to do it here at Blinn College because of the work you have done,” he said.

State Rep. Trey Wharton praised the new complex for expanding local access to higher education and preparing students for the hands-on careers that will support the region’s growth.

“Because of the growth taking place here, students are not going to have to leave the area to learn,” he said. “They can continue living here, working here, giving back, and paying it forward.”

The complex is located less than a block from the future site of Blinn’s Waller Campus, which is scheduled to open its first building in fall 2027. The site also is just minutes from Daikin Texas Technology Park, one of the region’s largest employers.

Last year, Blinn announced the purchase of 100 acres at 29638 FM 2920 in Waller for the purpose of developing the College District’s sixth campus. With the new Waller Campus, Blinn will bring its academic reputation, affordable tuition, and transfer pathways to the Waller-Harris County community.

Blinn has the highest academic transfer rate in the State of Texas and specializes in helping students transfer seamlessly to leading four-year universities, including Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Prairie View A&M University, the University of Houston, Texas State University, and more. Most Blinn students save approximately 52% in tuition and general fees compared to the average state university, and Blinn offers more than 350 endowed scholarships to students from a wide range of backgrounds.

To help students get started, Blinn will host upcoming Waller Registration Days at the Waller administration office located at 31406 FM 2920, Suite B203. These events will provide tours of the Workforce and Technical Education Complex as well as one-on-one assistance with admissions, advising, and registration from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, June 12; 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24; 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 8; 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 29; and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 19. Students are encouraged to apply to Blinn College at ApplyTexas.org, visit with an academic advisor through the Virtual Advising Line, and discuss financial aid steps through the Buccaneer Financial Aid Queue before attending.

Blinn’s Waller administration office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and assists with applications, payments, academic advising, and financial aid. While the office does not offer in-person classes, it provides workstations and direct connections to Blinn’s advising and financial aid services, helping students enroll at any Blinn campus and navigate the enrollment process.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/waller or call 936-463-5152.

(Story courtesy Blinn Information)