The New Braunfels Chamber was honored with multiple distinctions from the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) at the 2025 Workforce Excellence Awards, including the Workforce Excellence Award for its innovative Youth CareerQuest initiative and the Community Excellence Award for its continued commitment to regional economic development. The Chamber was also nominated for additional awards recognizing its regional partnership with the City of Seguin on expanding higher education and workforce training through the Central Texas Technology Center (CTTC).
Youth CareerQuest, launched in 2024, is a dynamic, hands-on career exploration event that engaged over 500 eighth-grade students from New Braunfels and Comal ISDs. The initiative connected students with 28 local employers across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, trades, and public services.
Strategically held before students select their high school endorsement pathways, the event empowers youth to make informed academic decisions aligned with career opportunities in the region. Through immersive experiences and direct interaction with employers, CareerQuest also connects students to local Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs and higher education partners such as Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Northeast Lakeview College (NLC)—strengthening the bridge between education and employment in the New Braunfels community.
This innovative model of early career engagement earned the 2025 TEDC Community Workforce Excellence Award and has already inspired interest from neighboring communities looking to replicate the program.
In addition to its award-winning youth engagement, the New Braunfels Chamber was nominated for further TEDC recognition for its collaborative workforce development work with the City of Seguin through the revitalization of the Central Texas Technology Center (CTTC).
Originally an underutilized facility, CTTC was transformed through a joint initiative between the New Braunfels and Seguin Economic Development Corporations, with active participation from both Chambers of Commerce, local industry leaders, and school district CTE directors. Over the past two years, the CTTC has evolved into a thriving hub for technical education and career training.
Key outcomes from the CTTC partnership include the launch of new technical and trades programs through TSTC, such as Advanced Manufacturing, Welding Technology, Industrial Systems Technician, and Building Construction Technology. Through the growth of CTTC, TSTC has seen a 540% enrollment increase from 2023 to 2024, growing from 15 to 96 students, with 150+ projected in 2025. Investment in the facility has also led to an expansion of Northeast Lakeview College programs, with enrollment growing from 125 to over 400 students, and new programs in Allied Health, Cybersecurity, Construction Trades, and core academic areas. Due to the rapid expansion, both institutions have announced expansion plans for larger, standalone campuses, with NLC's $17 million investment into a 58,000 sq. ft. facility in New Braunfels, and TSTC’s announcement of a new 100-acre campus in Seguin, which will create a long-term regional anchor for workforce education and training across our two counties. This regional workforce ecosystem, driven by strategic collaboration, public-private partnerships, and alignment with industry needs, exemplifies the forward-thinking vision that TEDC seeks to elevate across Texas.
Together, the Youth CareerQuest initiative and CTTC expansion project highlight the New Braunfels Chamber’s leadership in driving innovative, resilient, and community-centered workforce development efforts. These efforts not only address current workforce needs but also lay the groundwork for long-term economic resilience, business retention, and talent attraction in the New Braunfels–Seguin region.