 By Pete Avalos, MC Dean of Applied Technology
Every few weeks, a new headline appears about artificial intelligence changing the
way we work. AI can write reports, answer questions, generate images, and perform
tasks that once required significant time and effort. So, it's understandable that
students, parents, and workers are asking the same question: "What careers will still be in demand in the future?" My answer may surprise you.
Many of the careers that will remain essential are the same careers that have powered
our communities for generations. Someone still has to build the infrastructure that
supports our daily lives. Someone still has to maintain the equipment that keeps businesses
operating. Someone still has to troubleshoot problems, make repairs, and ensure critical
systems are functioning safely and efficiently.
Artificial intelligence may change how work is done, but it cannot replace the skilled
professionals who keep the physical world running. At Midland College, we see this
every day in our Applied Technology programs.
- Diesel technicians don't simply repair engines anymore. They use advanced diagnostic systems and sophisticated
technology to identify problems, troubleshoot issues, and keep essential equipment
operating safely and efficiently.
- Automation technicians work with robotics, sensors, programmable logic controllers, and control systems
that are becoming increasingly important in modern industry. In many ways, these are
the professionals helping businesses adapt to the very technologies reshaping the
workforce.
- HVAC technicians are a great example of how technology is changing skilled trades without replacing
the people who work in them. Today's heating and cooling systems incorporate smart
controls, sensors, automation, and energy management technologies. But when a building
or home loses cooling in the middle of a West Texas summer, it still takes a trained
technician to diagnose the problem, make repairs, and get the system back online.
- Welders combine technical precision with craftsmanship to create, repair, and maintain the
structures, pipelines, and equipment that power our economy. While automation has
changed parts of the industry, skilled welders remain indispensable for complex projects
and specialized applications.
- Natural gas compression technicians help support one of the most critical industries in the Permian Basin through a blend
of mechanical expertise, troubleshooting, and operational knowledge.
Despite what some may think, the common thread is not that technology is absent from
these careers. In fact, technology is becoming more important every year. The difference
is that these careers require people who can think critically, adapt to changing conditions,
solve unexpected problems, and apply their knowledge in real-world situations. Those
are skills that remain valuable regardless of how technology evolves.
In many ways, the future workforce will belong to individuals who can work alongside
technology rather than compete against it. That is why Midland College continues to
invest in hands-on training, industry partnerships, and workforce programs designed
to meet the needs of today's employers and tomorrow's economy.
The question isn't whether technology will change the workplace. It absolutely will. The question is whether workers will have the skills to adapt and succeed alongside
those changes. The future will always need builders, technicians, problem-solvers,
and innovators. The future will always need skilled people.
And at Midland College, we're helping students develop those skills every single day.
Learn more about starting a career in the skilled trades at Midland College.
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