CTC developing healthcare training hub in Marble Falls
The new science lab at Central Texas College’s Marble Falls campus is now live and provides local students the opportunity to get licensed vocational nurse training right here in the Highland Lakes. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Central Texas College unveiled its new science lab on April 7 at its Marble Falls campus, marking a major milestone for the school and for the future of professional healthcare opportunities in the Highland Lakes area. According to CTC leadership, this lab is just the beginning of a significant move toward higher education for the local workforce.
According to CTC Vice Chancellor of Instruction and Workforce Education Dr. Tamara Clunis, the college spent $60,000 upgrading its lab equipment and classrooms so that students could take required courses for nursing degrees, like anatomy and physiology and microbiology at the Marble Falls campus, 806 Steve Hawkins Parkway.
Previously, Highland Lakes area students would have to commute to Killeen or Austin to take these courses.
“There have been many people who wanted to become a nurse, but it is a burden to drive (over an hour) one way to go to class,” Clunis told DailyTrib. “Anyone that wanted to prepare to study for a healthcare career, they could not get hands-on classes in Marble Falls. That’s changed with the opening of this lab.”
Clunis went on to say that this was “just the beginning” of upgrades to the campus, and that the ultimate goal was to offer full healthcare training programs and certifications at the Marble Falls campus.
“Pending the approval of an application with the Texas Board of Nursing to make Marble Falls an extension site for our nursing department in Killeen, people will not only be able to take their healthcare pathway classes here, they will eventually be able to study and actually be a nurse in this community and not have to drive (out of town),” she said.
Clunis noted that CTC perceives that there is a deficit of skilled healthcare workers in the Highland Lakes area, and that sentiment was shared by one of the largest employers in the area, Baylor Scott & White Health.
“This is going to make a big difference for all of the healthcare employers in this area, and definitely for Baylor Scott and White Health,” BSW Hill Country Region President Tim Ols said. “We’re looking forward to being in partnership with (CTC) and helping to grow the program.”
Clunis noted that the initial program would allow students to take classes to become a licensed vocational nurse, but ultimately classes could be offered to allow for training and certifications to become everything from a surgical assistant to a paramedic.
Marble Falls Independent School District Superintendent Jeff Gasaway said that he was excited about the opportunities being made available for Mustangs preparing to enter the workforce.
“To be able to live at home and have a really top notch program that is being offered right here in our city, I’m excited about what is going to be taking place here at Central Texas College,” Gasaway said.
CTC’s expansion at its Marble Falls campus was due in part to the work of Workforce Network Inc., which pushed for foundational training courses for Highland Lakes locals. The nonprofit is dedicated to workforce development in Burnet, Llano, and Blanco counties and works as a liaison between employers, employees, and government agencies to help support job growth and training.