Serving as a liaison between education and business
With a labor force encompassing a 19-county region, the Abilene area offers a wide variety of talent at all skill levels. Together with various community partners, the AIF represents the collective interests of employers by helping to develop tomorrow’s workforce through educating young people on emerging industries and re-training mid-career professionals for high-demand careers. The AIF works to develop a bridge between talent needs of Abilene industries and the educational programs being offered through colleges, universities and technical programs.
Labor Force
Unemployment rate
Average annual wages
Top Employers in City of Abilene
| SECTOR | COMPANY | PRODUCT/SERVICE | EMPL. |
| Military | Dyess Air Force Base | Air Force Base | 8,864 |
| Healthcare | Hendrick Health System | Hospital | 4,032 |
| Education | Abilene ISD | Public School | 2,450 |
| Education | Abilene Christian University | Private University | 1,900 |
| Government | City of Abilene | City | 1,300 |
| Healthcare | Abilene State Supported Living Center | Mental Health | 1,225 |
| Government | Texas Dept of Criminal Justice | Prisons | 1,187 |
| Telecommunications | Blue Cross Blue Shield | Call Center | 1,061 |
| Government | Taylor County | County | 560 |
| FIRE | First Financial Bankshares | Banking & Financial | 540 |
| Aviation | Eagle Aviation | Aviation Mechanic | 470 |
| Education | Hardin-Simmons University | Private University | 424 |
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Big Country Manufacturing Alliance – linking business to education to promote and develop talent pipeline, grow manufacturing and strengthen communities
Workforce Solutions of West Texas – virtual job fairs
America’s SBDC at Texas Tech – Small business liaison and support partner
Work Ready Texas – working with people with disabilities and re-entry population for job placement, soft skills training and resume help
Texas Labor Market Information – labor force population data & wage data for state, region, MSA and city
On the Map – location data of where labor force works and lives
Texas Workforce Commission – Unemployment, COVID 19 resources, training grants, childcare resources
International Rescue Committee – ESL custom workforce classes
TMAC – manufacturing guru on business management and operations best practices, lean manufacturing, supervisor training, etc.
NEXTUniversity is a career development program that assists young professionals pursue careers like welding, industrial systems, aircraft maintenance, nursing, and more. Through high school and beyond, NEXTU students are supported with scholarship dollars that pay for their technical classes, books, supplies, and tools. With guidance from a career coach, NEXTU students obtain industry-based certifications and connections to their careers.
Texas State Technical College – Abilene
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Abilene is a commuter campus with flexible daytime, afternoon and evening hours to meet the needs of traditional college students and adult learners. We offer a wide variety of training that is in demand in the West Texas area and are conveniently located to serve military personnel and families stationed at Dyess Air Force Base.
Cisco College serves the West Central Texas region through two locations. The Abilene campus is located in Taylor County, and is approximately 190 miles west of Fort Worth. Cisco College has been offering workforce training and higher education in Abilene since 1973.
Texas Tech Health Science Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Abilene is a branch campus of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center located in Abilene, Texas. The campus has a school of pharmacy and a school of nursing, The School of Pharmacy opened on August 12, 2007.
Founded in 1906, ACI is a private, non-profit university affiliated with Churches of Christ and committed to transformative, energized learning. ACU’s residential campus offers students a safe place to grow intellectually and spiritually — and to learn to live independently. Division I athletics, intramural sports, 100+ student organizations, and countless service and worship opportunities contribute to our vibrant student life. ACU Online offers graduate and doctoral degrees geared toward working professionals.
HSU offers six undergraduate degrees with 70 majors, and seven graduate degrees with 18 programs. Pre-professional programs include dentistry, engineering, medicine, law, pharmacology, physical therapy, and seminary. HSU offers courses in geography, Greek, Hebrew, humanities, and physical sciences, as well. The university offers a doctorate in physical therapy, the first in Texas which is open to private citizens, as well as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Ministry and a Doctor of Science degrees.
McMurry offers a diverse academic curriculum students can choose from 45 majors in the arts, business, education and the sciences as well as our pre-professional programs in medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, pharmacy, physical therapy and others.
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