Since its launch in 2014, the Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative has become a cornerstone of regional workforce development, uniting leaders from over 200 businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create a skilled and resilient workforce for the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region. Celebrating 10 years of impact, UpSkill Houston has focused on building talent pipelines essential to the growth and global competitiveness of local industries. UpSkill Houston's regional impact: 150 employers engaged in four industry sector collaboratives focused on building talent pipelines. Over 70 education, community and workforce organizations committed to collaborating with employers. More than 200,000 students impacted, showcasing how deeply intertwined UpSkill’s work is with both the business community and our educational institutions.  Fostering Industry and Education Partnerships One of UpSkill Houston’s key strengths lies in the partnerships it has fostered between industry and education. Through collaborations with Greater Houston Partnership members and partners, these efforts have spurred the development of workforce programs that not only meet the needs of local employers but also provide students with direct paths to sustainable careers. Examples include: San Jacinto College’s Center for Petrochemical Energy and Technology Alvin Community College and Lonza collaboration Industrial Craft Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo   A Catalyst for Economic Mobility  “UpSkill Houston plays an important role in the Partnership’s ‘Opportunity for All’ pillar, which aims to increase economic prosperity and mobility for residents while ensuring industries have the skilled workers needed to grow the region’s economy and strengthen its global competitiveness,” Katie Pryor, the Partnership’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said during the 10th anniversary conference.   In 2023, the Burning Glass Institute (BGI) selected the Greater Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region to be its partner site for its Jobs That Mobilize (JTM) initiative. The initiative is testing and deploying a new data-driven approach that uses skills adjacencies to help workers achieve greater mobility in the Houston region. BGI’s research has uncovered several key insights: On average, skills-based transitions provide a 15 percent wage increase between origin roles and JTM roles.  JTM roles provide long-term mobility for workers.  Roles often expand talent pools for employers by twice or three times more. According to BGI, 37 percent of the skills requirements for a given occupation have changed over the past five years. BGI President Matt Sigelman provided three things the Houston region must do to ensure growth and economic opportunity: Know what talent you will need and where the gaps lie.   Develop a strategy for targeted upskilling and reskilling.  Grow the pie by tapping hidden talent pools and playing your whole team.   Preparing for Houston’s Future Workforce As the regional economy transitions from industrial into a knowledge-based, technology-enabled economy, UpSkill Houston will continue its leadership in driving a skills-first approach that meets the changing demands of employers. “Our human capital is the Houston region’s single greatest asset,” Peter Beard, Sr. Vice President of regional workforce development, said. “Our workforce, whether we cultivate and develop it here in the region or attract it from other parts of the country or world, our workers are the backbone, brainpower, innovation, and ultimately, they are the power that drives and grows our economy.” As UpSkill Houston enters its second decade, the initiative remains committed to ensuring that Houston’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the region’s evolving economy, while continuing to drive inclusive economic growth for all residents. See how UpSkill Houston's decade of collaboration continues to shape the future of workforce mobility and drive economic growth for our region. Learn more about how you can get engaged in UpSkill.

The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 18 new member companies in the month of August. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region. New members joining in the month of August include: ABIC - American Business Immigration Coalition: ABIC - American Business Immigration Coalition is active in key states and communities across the country, engaging activists, advocates, business leaders, and elected officials on the urgency of passing immigration reform that boosts our economy, creates jobs, eases the labor shortage, and supports families. Website.  ACE Scholarships: ACE Scholarships provides children of lower-income families with scholarships to private schools in grades K-12, and to advocate for expanded school choice. Website.  Alvin Community College: Alvin Community College is a fully accredited community college working closely with business and industry to provide customized training in a full range of programs for traditional and nontraditional students. Website.  AMA Houston: AMA Houston is the area’s largest and most active professional marketing organization and one of the largest chapters in the nation. Website.  BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc: BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc. is a U.S.-based financial holding company that provides banking and financial services. Website.  BE&K Building Group: BE&K Building Group is an integrated construction services company serving industrial + manufacturing, aviation + aerospace, life sciences, food + beverage, healthcare, higher education, and commercial clients. Website BidConnectUSA: BidConnectUSA is a cutting-edge 21st-century business ecosystem platform designed to increase your company's growth and provide holistic education to Small & Medium Sized Enterprises. Website  Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.: Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc. provides chemical management services and is an independent petrochemical distributor serving the nation. Website  Elevator Repair Service, Inc.: Elevator Repair Service, Inc is comprised of a highly-skilled and experienced staff of Union elevator mechanics who are qualified in all phases of repair, construction, maintenance, modernization and installation of elevators, escalators, rack & pinions, and material lifts. Website.  Octagon Staffing, LLC: Octagon Consulting, LLC is a management consulting firm dedicated to enhancing organizational performance across private, public, and social sectors. Website.  Optimal Wellness and Lifestyle Balance LLC: Optimal Wellness and Lifestyle Balance is a wellness and fitness business that supports optimal health and wellness through blended formulations of natural product. Website.  Rippling Nature: Rippling Nature is Innovative results-oriented strategic advisor possessing rare combination of market, business, and technology acumen. Strong background in assessing, planning and directing the implementation of digital transformation projects within the food-water-energy nexus focused to greening the world/decarbonization. Website.  Rockwell American Services, Ltd: Rockwell American Services sells, rents and provides a wide range of products and services to the U.S. military, government and energy industry. Website.  Sixty Vines: Sixty Vines is a casual New American kitchen & wine bar offering bites & wines on tap in spacious, modern surrounds. Website.  Visa Solutions: Visa Solutions has been the premier immigration and relocation agency. Website.  West Gulf Maritime Association: The WGMA negotiates and administers various multi-employer collective bargaining agreements with the International Longshoremen’s Association. Website.  Whiskey Cake: Whiskey Cake is your neighborhood joint for craft cocktails and farm-fresh comfort food. Website.  Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.