DALLAS — There’s a tech boom happening in Central Texas. Tesla filed certificates of completion for Giga Texas in January, with more than 360 job openings on workforce solutions’ website. 

The boom has some people changing career paths and others coming out of retirement, including Jimmy Carlile who had previously worked in the meatpacking industry before retiring during the pandemic. 

“I'm looking around. I'm young, I have plenty of energy, plenty of strength,” Carlile said about wanting to join the workforce again. 

He joined Skillpoint Alliance, which offers free programs in skilled training and manufacturing. Carlile’s goal, like others in the class, is to work for tech giants, like Tesla and Samsung. 

“What a huge presence they are,” Carlile said. “They're going to be everywhere. Who isn't interested in that?”

“A lot of our students are really interested in Samsung and then also Tesla, but there's a lot of other companies here locally that students are being recruited through our mentoring program,” Kevin Brackmeyer, executive director at Skillpoint Alliance. 

Carlile isn’t the only one taking an interest in the Texas tech boom. Demand for skilled workers is high according to Brackmeyer. 

As Carlile’s class graduates, the program has received a record number of applications.

“We’re processing the 54 applications that came last weekend,” Brackmeyer said. “We probably had another 15 or 20 that came in this last week.” 

Carlile’s one step closer to starting a new career. He’s encouraging anyone else who’s interested to act quick. 

“I do have some resumes out there,” Carlile said. “If you're thinking about it, now's the time.”