[PRESS RELEASE] - The tech industry in the state of Texas is booming, with a growing demand for skilled workers in Cloud/IT support, software development and data analytics. According to LinkedIn, there are over 8,000 tech jobs currently unfilled in the state of Texas. To address this talent gap, AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance is expanding into Texas with support from key collaborators across industry, education and government with the goal of helping to modernize tech programs of study at higher education institutions, connecting learners to in-demand tech jobs and supporting the development of a highly-skilled tech workforce in the Lone Star State. "As the pace of technological change advances in every market, the need for a globally diverse, digitally skilled pipeline has never been more important. The expansion of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance into Texas further demonstrates our commitment to bring together government, education, industry and nonprofits to address this critical need and enable future economic growth," said Valerie Singer, AWS Global Education Lead. The initial launch of the Tech Alliance in Texas focuses on the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. These two major hubs are home to a diverse array of employers seeking tech talent and a robust system of educational institutions ready to prepare the next generation of Cloud and IT professionals. This launch represents a critical step in addressing the talent gap in the state's tech industry. Four of the state's higher education institutions have come together as part of the region's initial launch: Texas State University Houston Community College Dallas College Kilgore College Several of the state's most innovative companies will collaborate with AWS to identify talent needs, provide real-world learning experiences for students and hire qualified candidates into tech roles. These employers include Brooksource Corestack DLZP Group JP Morgan Chase Tanches Global Management TEKsystems "JP Morgan Chase has been deeply ingrained in the Texas community for more than a century and a half, tracing its origins back to the First National Bank of Houston," said Stacey Laurent, Vice President and Lead Technical Program Manager for JP Morgan Chase. "We prioritize investing in our community's individuals. As proud members of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, we eagerly anticipate contributing to the worldwide movement that revitalizes tech education and fosters a diverse, skilled pool of talent, enriching the landscape of Texas. Diversity stands as a cornerstone of our values at JP Morgan Chase; it is essential for fostering innovation and progress." Recently, Texas has been recognized for its innovative approach to aligning education policy to its economic goals. Central to these policies is the push to ensure post-secondary programming leads to high quality career pathways for Texans. This alignment of education, workforce and economic development goals fits perfectly with the goals of the Tech Alliance and provides a unique partnership opportunity with the state. To ensure that the program continues to amplify the state's priorities, AWS will work closely with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Economic Development Corporation. AWS has a long history of collaborating with organizations in Texas to advance workforce development and skills attainment initiatives. Participation in the Greater Houston Partnership's UpSkill Houston Executive Committee and the Dallas Regional Chamber's Board of Directors has helped position AWS as a regional voice in workforce and economic development. These organizations, along with Alcantar Strategies, will partner with AWS to leverage their extensive networks and community connections to promote Tech Alliance programs and connect learners to opportunities. Through its employer-led UpSkill Houston initiative, the Greater Houston Partnership has invested heavily in advancing the skills and opportunities for Houstonians, ensuring employers have the skilled talent they need to grow and compete," said Peter Beard, Senior Vice President of Regional Workforce Development for the Greater Houston Partnership. "Collaborating with AWS as a member of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance will amplify the work we are already accomplishing in Houston and advance the alignment of our talent pipelines to in-demand technology jobs in all industries." "The Dallas Regional Chamber is focused on improving the education, talent and workforce pipeline to support a high-quality life for all people in the Dallas Region," said Elizabeth Caudill McClain, Senior Vice President of Talent Strategies at the Dallas Regional Chamber. "The launch of the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance poses an exciting opportunity for business leaders across Texas to join together to address the skills gap for high-demand IT jobs while also supporting the economic mobility of Texans - a win-win for the future of our companies and communities." AWS launched the Tech Alliance in June 2023 at the DC Public Sector Summit, bringing together a global coalition of higher education institutions, employers, government and collaborating organizations to address the tech skills gap. The Tech Alliance is currently represented in nine countries (USA, Egypt, Spain, Singapore, Italy, Germany, India, Colombia and Brazil), with four other US states engaged (New York, Illinois, Washington and West Virginia). Since its global launch, the Tech Alliance has connected more than 23,000 learners from over 900 higher education institutions with over 350 employers. To learn more or get involved, please visit the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance homepage.

Home to multiple deepwater ports, two international airports with over 180 non-stop destinations, and a diverse, highly educated workforce, Houston is a manufacturing and logistics powerhouse with an eye focused on the future.  As the base of operations for the international oil and gas exploration and production industry, as well as a number of the nation’s largest international engineering and construction firms, Houston has cemented its place as an important hub for an increasingly global economy. With over 7,000 manufacturing establishments and strategic advantages in chemical and machinery manufacturing and petroleum refining, accounting for over 44 percent of the nation’s overall petrochemicals manufacturing capacity, the Houston region offers unparalleled energy expertise and a talented workforce with transferable skills.  According to BDO’s 2024 Manufacturing CFO Outlook Survey, 89 percent of manufacturing CFOs plan to expand their U.S. operations this year, providing many opportunities for Houston as the No. 2 U.S. metropolitan area for manufacturing GDP and the No. 3 global competitive city in machinery and equipment.  Earlier this month, two Dallas-area companies, Eagle Materials Inc. and Heidelberg Materials North America, announced their plans to open a joint cement facility in Houston. Once fully operational, the Texas Lehigh Cement Company facility will have a manufacturing capacity of 500,000 tons per year.  According to a recent HBJ article, international cement companies have been looking at Texas, and Houston in particular, for possible expansion opportunities. In November 2023, CRH PLC, an Irish building materials manufacturer, announced its plans to expand its footprint in Texas, including three cement plants and terminals in the Houston area.  Earlier this year, Houston startup success story NanoTech Materials opened its 43,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and headquarters in the Katy area. Meanwhile, solar manufacturer EnGoPlanet recently announced its plans to open an assembly plant near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. According to President and COO Kirk Wehby, “We feel like there’s a strong workforce [in Houston] that will allow us to grow and continue what we do. The facilities here also best utilize our capabilities. Our plan is to be central to our suppliers that will do coding, lighting [and] to be close to the airport and the port. Houston is a home run.”  Workforce  Employing over 225,000 workers in 2022, manufacturing plays a critical role in Houston’s economy. Having set records for employment growth in 2021 and 2022, industry leaders and educational institutions are continuing to partner together in developing the region’s future workforce.  According to a regional workforce study conducted by the Partnership in 2020, Houston has an above-average and growing demand for middle-skill workers. To address these skills gaps, an increasing number of public-private partnerships have launched to strengthen Houston’s talent pipeline and bolster the workforce readiness of high school and college graduates in the region.  TXRX Labs, a non-profit makerspace in Houston’s East End, received a two-year grant from JPMorgan earlier this year to launch two advanced training programs in electronic assembly and welding fabrication. The grant comes as part of Houston’s Resiliency Workforce Collaborative, an initiative launched in December 2022 that helps increase career opportunities for Houston residents, particularly from underserved and under-resourced communities. According to the Houston Chronicle, the collaborative is on track to train 6,600 people and place over 1,400 in high-demand jobs by 2025.  Logistics & Distribution  In the last decade, Houston has emerged as an important logistics center, with developers adding over 83 million square feet of warehouse space since 2020. The region has also experienced a significant increase in the construction of large-scale industrial properties to accommodate the growth of national fulfillment and regional distribution centers, including Amazon, FedEx, McKesson, Sysco and UPS.  Home to four deepwater seaports including the Port of Houston, the nation’s No. 1 port for foreign waterborne tonnage, the region is one of the most significant transportation and distribution hubs in the nation, providing companies with exceptional access to global markets. Port Houston handled 578 million metric tons of cargo between January 2021 and January 2024 according to the Partnership’s 2024 Global Houston publication.  The region’s two international airports – William P. Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) - also serve as an important international gateway for passengers and air freight, with the Houston Airport System (HAS) serving over 54 million passengers and handling nearly 553,000 metric tons of freight in 2022.  Additionally, as the crossroads of major highways including I-45, I-10 and I-69, Houston’s extensive freeway and highway infrastructure contributes to minimizing transportation and distribution costs for companies of all sizes.  Learn more about the advantages of Houston as a world-class manufacturing, logistics and distribution hub.