June 2013
| Business World Magazine | 137
Those relationships not only involve forc-
es of government, but also those who work
in education and are tasked with the respon-
sibility of training workforce. Fowler says
Post-secondary education is critical. “You
have to have a labor force, but that doesn’t
just mean having people - there has to be an
ability to train them,” he says. Again, Victo-
ria has several advantages on this front. For
example, University of Houston-Victoria
campus which once only served as a school
for upper classmen has transitioned to a
full-fledged four-year school. To accommo-
date increasing student enrollments, the
university has converted two former hotels
into dorm facilities in addition to the con-
struction of new dorms, and Fowler says as
the school brings more young people into
the community, there is increasing potential
that some may actually stay upon finishing
school, thereby adding to the workforce.
Another exciting development involves
the near century old institution known as
Victoria College. A long time partner with
local business through its providing of voca-
tional training and certifications crucial in
a range of industries, the EDC along with
other community leaders secured a deal that
is now enabling Victoria College to develop
a new industrial training center that will be
