Governor Abbott Leads Roundtable At TEL Texas Training And R&D Center

August 31, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today toured the TEL Texas Technical Training and Research & Development Center in Austin. He led a roundtable discussion with students and business leaders to highlight how industry-led training programs are preparing thousands of Texans for high-demand careers and strengthening Texas’ position as America’s semiconductor leader.

“Texas ranks number one in the United States for semiconductors, and we rank number one in the U.S. for workforce training,” said Governor Abbott. “We need to be leading the way, not just in manufacturing those semiconductors, but in having the technicians who are going to be able to work on them every step of the way.”

During his remarks, the Governor noted TEL’s role in the production of qualified technicians and researchers to bolster the workforce and keep Texas competitive. Texas is home to more than 51,000 semiconductor industry workers, which has grown by 21% over the last five years. The Austin center will train an estimated 2,200 people each year and uses virtual and augmented reality to prepare technicians for next-generation tools. TEL, headquartered in Austin, has operated in Texas for more than 30 years.

In 2023, Governor Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law, which established the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to ensure Texas leads the way in the research, design, and manufacturing of microchips. TEL was extended a more than $3 million TSIF grant for the Austin center. Through this law and TEL’s more than $30 million investment, Texas expands the domestic workforce that designs and manufactures chips in America.

Additional photos will be provided here when available.