Caterpillar invests $5M to expand Texas manufacturing workforce pipeline

Caterpillar is putting $5 million behind a Texas workforce development effort aimed at expanding the pipeline for advanced manufacturing jobs, with the announcement made Thursday at its Seguin facility.

The company said the initiative is meant to help rebuild educational and training pathways into manufacturing careers. Rather than naming a fixed list of recipients, Caterpillar said it will work with local education and training institutions, economic development organizations and other companies to identify where workforce gaps are most urgent.

Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar's chief human resources officer, said the effort is part of a broader push to strengthen manufacturing talent pipelines. The company said the Texas plan builds on a larger $100 million U.S. workforce pledge it announced last year.

Why Texas

The investment is designed to support Caterpillar's operations and the broader manufacturing ecosystem in Texas, including facilities in San Antonio, Schertz and Seguin. The company has emphasized modern manufacturing roles that rely on automation and other advanced technologies, which it says require a more specialized talent pipeline.

Gov. Greg Abbott praised Caterpillar as a major asset to the Texas economy and said the state's training programs help supply a strong workforce. Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen said the investment could help residents access higher-paying skilled jobs and improve economic mobility.

Texas State Technical College Chancellor and CEO Mike Reeser said the effort could create clearer pathways into secure manufacturing jobs for underemployed workers, students and others at different stages of their careers.

What Comes Next

Caterpillar has not yet finalized how the $5 million will be allocated or which partners will receive funding or program roles. The company said it will identify priority workforce gaps with local partners before moving forward.

The announcement adds to a broader effort by manufacturers and training institutions to align classroom instruction with employer demand in Texas, where workforce shortages remain a recurring concern.