Permian Basin Faces Workforce Shortage, Colleges Aim to Fill Pipeline

Education leaders discuss efforts to build a skilled workforce for the region's booming industries

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:35pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of an oil and gas pipeline valve repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform an everyday industrial object into modern pop art.As the Permian Basin faces a critical workforce shortage, regional colleges are partnering with industry to build a pipeline of skilled workers for the energy sector.Midland Today

As the Permian Basin's oil and gas industries continue to grow, local colleges and universities are working to address a looming workforce shortage. Education leaders from the University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa College, and Midland College discussed their partnerships with businesses and strategies to prepare students for in-demand jobs, including boosting literacy rates, expanding vocational training, and incorporating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

The Permian Basin is a major driver of the Texas economy, but the region's rapid growth has created a significant need for skilled workers across industries like energy, construction, transportation, and more. Addressing this workforce gap is crucial for sustaining the region's economic prosperity.

The details

By 2040, the Permian Basin is projected to need an additional 175,000 workers, including 7,000 more certified truck drivers, 4,000 engineers, 1,400 electricians, 6,000 food and service workers, and 3,500 construction workers. Education leaders are working to build a pipeline of local talent to fill these roles, partnering with businesses to align curriculum with industry needs and encouraging students to pursue in-demand careers.

  • The Permian Strategic Partnership estimates the region will need 175,000 more workers by 2040.

The players

Dr. Sandy Woodley

President of the University of Texas Permian Basin, which works with 330 partners and offers 25,000 jobs and internships, with 90% of graduates remaining in Texas and 70% staying in the Permian Basin.

Tracee Bentley

President and CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership, which has identified the region's workforce needs across various industries.

Dr. Gregory Williams

President of Odessa College, which has developed specialized programs like an automation program in response to industry feedback.

Dr. Damon Kennedy

President of Midland College, which is focusing on preparing students for the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

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What they’re saying

“We as a community have a responsibility to ensure we have a ready workforce, and that starts with pre-K. Once we see literacy rates, we'll see that pipeline fill up and paths to success fill.”

— Tracee Bentley, President and CEO, Permian Strategic Partnership

“We need our industry partners to communicate with us, tell us what they like, what they don't like.”

— Dr. Gregory Williams, President, Odessa College

What’s next

Education leaders plan to continue working closely with local businesses to align curriculum and training programs with the Permian Basin's evolving workforce needs, while also focusing on improving literacy rates and encouraging more students to pursue in-demand careers in the region.

The takeaway

The Permian Basin's rapid growth has created a critical need for skilled workers across numerous industries, and local colleges and universities are stepping up to build a robust talent pipeline through partnerships, specialized programs, and a focus on emerging technologies and early childhood education.