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Hire Houston Youth Program Helps Create Strong Regional Workforce

Published Feb 24, 2020 by Susan Moore

Middle Skills Talent

Female worker on construction job site

Earlier this year, Houston City Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the launch of the fifth year of the City’s Hire Houston Youth summer internship program along with a new target employment goal. Turner has called on Houston employers to offer 20,000 jobs to young Houstonians. 

Each job is an opportunity for Houston’s business and non-profit communities to help prepare young talent for successful careers in our region’s competitive global economy. Businesses can offer employment opportunities or financial support to help non-profits and other organizations provide summer job opportunities.   

Bob Harvey, President and CEO of the Partnership, spoke during the launch event. He urged businesses owners and employers to invest in developing the region’s young talent by participating in the program. 

“It’s truly incumbent upon the business community to recognize the importance of giving these young people this opportunity,” Harvey said. “There’s really no excuse for businesses in Houston not to get behind this effort and continue to let it grow. It’s really making a difference in Houston.”

The program has grown significantly since it was launched in 2016, when employers provided more than 1,100 youth with summer jobs. In 2019, youth had access to more than 11,400 employment opportunities, most of which were within the private sector.

The Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative champions career-connected learning programs along with opportunities for hands-on career exploration. These summer career experiences help young people recognize multiple pathways into good careers, learn skills they can apply toward earning credentials or certifications, and connect with mentors.

Through summer employment, young talent forge professional relationships with industry experts who can impart valuable industry-related or occupation-specific wisdom. Summer employment also exposes young Houstonians and, by extension, their parents, to the wealth of good career opportunities they might not otherwise come to know.

Hire Houston Youth internship opportunities are open to Houston residents 16 to 24-years-old. Internships must last at least seven weeks. Employers are encouraged to pay at least $9 per hour, although many choose to pay more, according to Mayor Turner.

The Partnership, its UpSkill Houston initiative and the Houston Mayor’s Office will be hosting a luncheon on March 16 to encourage the business community to take part in the program. 

Employers can sign up and donate to the program at HireHoustonYouth.orgAs part of its work to advance Houston’s position as a great global city, the Greater Houston Partnership is strengthening our region’s future through its Houston Next strategy, which focuses on creating a strong, diverse 21st-century economy; ensuring a great quality of life; and supporting opportunity for all.

The Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative works to ensure Greater Houston has the skilled workforce to advance our global competitiveness while empowering Houstonians to follow pathways to prosperity and opportunity.

 

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Texas Lawmakers Prioritize Economic Growth with New Committees

1/30/25
Every Texas legislative session brings something new: bold policies, fresh faces on the chamber floor, or, in this case, a new focus on making the Texas economy bigger and better. This year, the Texas House and Senate have restructured their standing committees, creating stand-alone panels to emphasize economic development and other key drivers of the state’s economy. In the Texas Senate, returning Senator Phil King will chair the newly formed Committee on Economic Development. Previously, the committee was a policy-combination focusing on Natural Resources and Economic Development. King, who previously served as Vice-Chair for the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, said he is excited to take on the leadership position in the upper chamber. “I am honored that Lt. Gov. Patrick has entrusted me to lead the Economic Development Committee in Texas, which has the eighth largest economy in the world,” Senator King said in a statement to the Partnership. “We will use this session to discuss policy solutions that can continue to drive our state's economic growth and prosperity over the next two years and beyond. I look forward to hearing from business leaders and local officials from across the state on how we can build upon the Texas Miracle in their communities.” The Texas House created the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development. Under first-term Speaker Dustin Burrows, the House will have a committee focused on the workforce and expanding the talent pipeline for the first time. Committee assignments for the Texas House have yet to be released.  Burrows told the Partnership he is committed to seeing Texas build a bigger and better economic engine for future generations.  "The Texas House remains focused on delivering legislative solutions that will strengthen our state's mighty economy and provide more economic opportunities for hardworking Texans," said Speaker Dustin Burrows. "This session, the House's new Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development will take a comprehensive approach to ensuring businesses have the freedom and tools to thrive in our state, with a newly created subcommittee concentrating on policies to bolster the Texas workforce. The House will also prioritize support for small businesses through legislation that aims to unleash the power of Texas entrepreneurship in communities across the state by cutting taxes and reforming the regulatory process." It’s too soon to say which bills will go to these committees. For now, a review of the interim reports from the previous committees points to support of key policy priorities for the Partnership: Early Childhood Education: the House and Senate both recognized a statewide need for expanding programs that support families and young children in education/developmental programs The successful implementation of the Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund [HB 1755 - 89(R)] is compelling lawmakers to invest further in innovation and growth for apprenticeship and training programs. Expanding the available workforce talent pool will remain a priority for the 89th Texas Legislature. Click below to read the full interim reports from the following committees: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development To learn more about the Partnership's Legislative Priorities, click here. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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