Midland Texas Economic Development Corp

A well-educated workforce is essential in a competitive global environment, and workers must be able to update and expand their knowledge as new technology and ways of working evolve. Post-secondary and higher education resources are readily available within the Midland area to serve area residents and businesses.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is the area's only four-year university. With an enrollment of 2,300 students, UTPB offers bachelor's and graduate degrees in business and technical areas, with an emphasis on fields that serve the Permian Basin oil and gas industry, including geology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The Continuing Education Division works with the Petroleum Industry Alliance to offer several short courses for the local petroleum producing and service industry.

Midland College is a level-two, comprehensive community college that offers more than 50 fields of study, including programs in nursing, paralegal studies, aviation maintenance technology, oil and gas technology. MC offers associate degrees, certificates, and even a baccalaureate degree. More than 6,000 students are enrolled at Midland College, which offers concurrent high school and college enrollment in cooperation with the Midland Independent School District.

The Midland College Advanced Technology Center (ATC) is a unique educational partnership (with Midland College, the Midland Independent School District, and several community partners) designed to deliver technical workforce education programs. The facility also enables Midland-area residents to further enhance their technical skills through recognized certifications and other continuing education opportunities.

Petroleum Professional Development Center of Midland College is a state-of-the-art educational facility designed specifically for the oil and gas industry, and is one of seven mid-career training centers worldwide recognized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

CEED The Center for Energy and Economic Diversification, located on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, offers courses, research, and other resources to the oil and gas industry and also works on helping transition the region's oil-dominated economy to a more diversified economy. The Petroleum Industry Alliance, U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, and Small Business Development Center, which provides business assistance for small businesses, are all housed at CEED.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, located in Odessa, offers programs in health care fields that include nursing, family medicine, OB-GYN, and internal medicine and pediatrics. The Texas Tech Center also offers a Master's Degree program in physical therapy and a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy.

The Workforce Network of Midland offers training assistance through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) Program and the State of Texas Smart Jobs and Skills Development Fund. Certified employers can also earn federal and state job tax credits through these programs. Customized training can be arranged through the Advanced Technology Center at Midland College in a number of areas, including automotive, computer, building trades, machinist, and customized business demand technologies.