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.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) plans to reopen its vocational college with a focus on addressing the region’s workforce challenges and growing industry demands.   According to the Houston Chronicle, this initiative began earlier this month when the Texas State University System voted to reinstitute and rename the institution as the Polytechnic College.  Originally established in 1947 as the Josey School of Vocational Education, the college was dedicated to equipping veterans and adults with additional training and skills needed for employment. In reviving this institution, SHSU aims to build on this historic initiative by offering short-term certificate programs designed to provide immediate job opportunities. These programs will also serve as steppingstones towards advanced certificates or four-year degree programs, offering flexible pathways for career development and educational advancement.  The Polytechnic College will collaborate with industry partners to design courses and curriculum that meet current industry needs. Additionally, the college will align these offerings with existing academic programs to further research initiatives.   "We’re not going to just have a bunch of technical programs that cover the gamut," Chad W. Hargrave, SHSU’s vice president for research and strategic partnerships, told the Chronicle. "We’re going to be responsive to what industry is telling us they need today or in the near future."  This strategic initiative aligns with the growing efforts of local colleges and universities to address evolving industry needs. The University of Houston-Downtown recently introduced a new Wind Turbine Technician program to strengthen the region's renewable energy workforce. Meanwhile, Alvin Community College launched a biotechnology certificate program last fall, aiming to develop a pipeline of skilled technicians for the region’s biotech and life sciences sectors.  These efforts reflect Houston’s dedication to building the workforce of tomorrow, while supporting the growth of its key industries.  Learn about the Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative.