TLPCA Workforce Program Builds Texas Talent
TLPCA connects Texas students to wall and ceiling careers through hands-on workforce training.
The Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association is investing in the future of the wall and ceiling industry through a workforce development program designed to connect high school students with rewarding careers in construction trades. Started about two years ago, the initiative focuses on educating students across Texas about opportunities in the lath and plastering industry while creating a direct pathway into the workforce.
TLPCA representatives have been traveling throughout the state, visiting high schools and participating in job fairs to introduce students to careers many may not have previously considered. The organization’s goal is to reach students early and provide them with a clear understanding of how they can build successful careers in the trades without following a traditional four-year college path.
The program is designed around an “earn-while-you-learn” model that blends classroom instruction with real-world jobsite experience. Students who enter the program after graduation will work for contractors while attending classes one to two days per week. TLPCA leaders believe this structure allows students to immediately apply classroom lessons in the field, accelerating skill development and improving retention.
“We believe students learn faster when they can immediately apply what they’re taught in the classroom on the jobsite,” Trey Harris, regional bulk manager, Texas, SPEC-MIX told Walls & Ceilings. “This program gives young people structure, direction and a real opportunity to build a long-term career in the wall and ceiling industry.”
Unlike some workforce initiatives that attempt to integrate directly into high school curriculums, the association’s program will operate from a centralized training location accessible to graduating students from across the region. Organizers say the approach provides consistency while helping students transition smoothly from school into the workforce.
Industry leaders also see the program as an important step toward addressing ongoing labor shortages in construction trades. By creating direct connections between students and contractors, TLPCA hopes to strengthen the workforce pipeline while giving young people access to stable, high-demand careers.
Workforce development programs like TLPCA’s are becoming increasingly important not only in Texas, but nationwide, as the wall and ceiling industry works to attract the next generation of skilled professionals. Programs that combine education, mentorship and paid field experience offer students a practical roadmap into the trades while helping contractors build a stronger labor force. As organizations across the country expand similar initiatives, the industry continues to demonstrate that careers in wall and ceiling construction can provide long-term opportunity, financial stability and professional growth for future workers.
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