Tech-Labs and X-Cal, founded by the Brown family, have been leading the charge to address America’s critical workforce development challenges by providing innovative training solutions across eight states. Tech-Labs has served Texas and Oklahoma since 1979, and X-Cal was created to cover six additional western states in 1988.
Their mission focuses on resolving the widening skills gap by offering specialized technical training equipment and solutions to schools and companies alike. These solutions can provide students and employees with a pathway toward credentials and industry-recognized certifications (IRCs) at a time when approximately 10,000 baby boomers retire daily.
The Growing Skills Gap Challenge
Current labor statistics reveal a troubling mismatch in America’s workforce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports 8.5 million job openings but only 6.5 million available workers to fill them, creating a significant gap in the labor market. More concerning, an estimated 70% of employers struggle to find qualified candidates for their open positions. If this continues, experts project the worker shortage could cost the U.S. economy $1.2 trillion by 2030.
“The skills gap has been a growing problem for the United States for several decades, affecting almost every major market sector,” says Warner Brown, CEO of Tech-Labs and X-Cal. “However, this critical problem is now getting the focused attention it deserves at local, state, and federal levels, which is very encouraging. We can accomplish the impossible when government, industry, and education unite.”
Solutions Through Industry Partnerships
Tech-Labs and X-Cal provide comprehensive training solutions through strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers like Amatrol, DAC Worldwide, and Bayport Technical, just to name a few. Their strong relationship with the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) program is powered by industry-recognized credentials in advanced Industry 4.0 technologies. This strategic collaboration enables schools and employers to implement advanced manufacturing curricula, preparing students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s evolving industrial landscape.
Mark Goodman, Director for North American Industry Sales at Amatrol, emphasizes the urgency: “In my nearly four decades of helping industry solve the skills gap, I have worked with manufacturers of pickles, space rockets, and nearly everything in between. Never before has the skills gap been as pronounced as it is today, making the need to fill it an absolute must to keep America productive, profitable, and secure.”
Future Impact and Innovation
The companies’ approach is more than providing technical training products. They also help customers develop flexible training environments that address and support diverse learner needs. Their upcoming book, “Bridging America’s Skills Gap,” co-authored by Chris Harris, Chief Revenue Officer of Tech-Labs, and Mark Goodman from Amatrol, aims to provide practical insights into tackling this growing national challenge.
As the talent shortage problem increases, Tech-Labs and X-Cal continue adapting their product portfolio and service offerings to meet the growing demand. “We’re not just observers in this transformation; we’re active participants,” Harris states. “Our goal is to create a skilled, adaptable, and forward-thinking workforce.”
The companies’ four-decade journey shows their commitment to helping solve the critical workforce development problem. Through strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and a deep understanding of industry needs, Tech-Labs and X-Cal are shaping the future of Career and Technical Education (CTE).
