For employers and site selectors looking at the Table Rock Lake region, one question always rises to the top: Can I find the talent I need here?
Table Rock Career Center (TRCC) is one of the strongest answers to that question.
Located next to Reeds Spring High School in Stone County, TRCC is a new, state-of-the-art career and technical education campus that serves students from across Stone, Taney, and Christian counties. The center builds on more than 50 years of career education in the region and now prepares hundreds of students from multiple sending school districts every year.
The new facility opened in November 2024 and was funded through a no-tax-increase bond issue, reflecting the community’s long term commitment to college and career readiness. It replaces the long-serving Gibson Technical Center and provides larger labs, updated equipment, and room for future program growth.
A regional hub for career and technical education
TRCC serves as a regional hub for juniors and seniors from partner high schools who travel to Reeds Spring each day for career and technical programs that complement their traditional coursework.
Students do not just sit in classrooms. They spend extended blocks of time in hands-on labs, working with tools, technology, and equipment that mirror what they will see on the job. Classes are taught by instructors with real industry experience who blend technical training with practical problem solving and workplace expectations.
The result is a pipeline of graduates who are comfortable in real work environments and ready to contribute on day one.
Learning that connects directly to careers
Programs at TRCC are built around a simple goal: help students step into the workforce as prepared, professional entry level employees.
Across its programs of study, the center focuses on:
- Technical skills that match current industry needs
- Professional habits such as reliability, teamwork, and communication
- Problem solving in real-world scenarios
- Safety and quality standards that employers expect
Because the programs are designed with employer input and regional economic needs in mind, students are training for jobs that exist here in the Table Rock Lake area and across the southwest Missouri labor market.
Industry credentials and college credit
TRCC gives students a head start in both directions: work and college.
Many programs offer industry recognized credentials, which give employers confidence that graduates meet agreed upon standards in their field. Students can also earn articulated college credit, which can transfer into postsecondary programs and shorten the time and cost of a degree or certificate.
This mix of credentials and college credit helps young people move smoothly from high school into the next step of their education or career, and it gives local employers a pool of candidates who are ahead of the curve.
Training for the current workforce, not just students
TRCC is not only for high school students. It also plays an important role in upskilling the current workforce.
During the school year, the center offers a variety of short term adult education courses, usually no longer than nine weeks and typically held one or two evenings per week. These classes help adults refresh skills, explore new careers, or stay competitive in their current field.
TRCC also partners with online training providers to offer flexible learning options in areas such as business, computer applications, health care, and more. That flexibility makes it easier for working adults to learn on their own schedule.
For employers, this means there is a local partner ready to help with customized training needs, skill updates, and career advancement pathways for their teams.
Why Table Rock Career Center matters for economic development
From an economic development perspective, TRCC supports several key priorities that matter to companies and site selectors:
- Proven pipeline – Hundreds of students are enrolled each year, feeding a steady stream of young talent into local industries.
- Middle skill focus – Programs prepare students for high demand careers that often require more than a high school diploma but less than a four year degree.
- Local roots and long history – The center and its predecessor have served the region’s workforce for more than five decades, showing deep community commitment to career education.
- Flexible training options – Evening adult classes and online learning give employers practical options to build skills close to home.
In short, TRCC helps Stone County and the Table Rock Lake region compete for new investment by proving that this community takes workforce preparation seriously.
How employers can plug into the workforce pipeline
TRCC does more than teach in labs and classrooms. It also works directly with employers to keep programs aligned with real world needs. Local businesses can plug into this workforce pipeline by:
- Serving on program advisory committees
- Hosting workplace tours and job shadows
- Offering internships or part time jobs for students
- Visiting classrooms to talk about career paths and expectations
- Donating equipment or materials so labs reflect current technology
These connections help students see what local careers look like and give businesses an early look at future employees who already understand the basics of the work.
A signal to employers: Talent lives here
For companies considering a new location or expansion in the Table Rock Lake region, Table Rock Career Center sends a clear message: this community is investing in the workforce of the future.
With modern facilities, regional reach, hands-on training, industry credentials, and adult learning options, TRCC is a key piece of the talent puzzle in Stone County and the surrounding area. It helps keep young people in the region, raises the skill level of the local labor pool, and supports employers who are ready to grow here.
As the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce works to attract and retain jobs, Table Rock Career Center stands as one of the most important partners in building a strong, dependable workforce pipeline for years to come.