Texas’ Evolving Workforce Landscape in 2024
by Juliet Stipeche
As we reflect on the past few years and look towards the future, it’s evident that the Texas workforce has experienced significant changes. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our labor market, and it accelerated some trends while giving rise to new ones. As the Director of Human Services and Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the resilience and adaptability of our workforce firsthand. Let’s look at how our state has navigated these changes, the initiatives we’ve implemented to address workforce development, and the trends we anticipate in the coming years.
The Changing Face of the Texas Workforce
The pandemic has had a profound impact on the composition of Houston’s labor market. Between February 2020 and February 2024, nearly 240,000 gross jobs were added, with Healthcare and Social Assistance accounting for nearly 1 in 5 of these new positions. This growth reflects our region’s continued population increase and the importance of the Texas Medical Center. Other sectors that have seen significant growth include Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, driven by the shift to online commerce; Professional Scientific and Technical Services, supporting various industries; and Local Government, primarily in public education and county and municipal governments.
The evolving nature of Houston’s labor market is also evident in the diverse range of skills sought by employers. In healthcare, demand for knowledge of medical records software like Epic has surged, while the aging population has driven and increased need for skills related to home health services. The logistics and distribution sector has seen growing demand for experience in warehouse operations, while professional services has seen an uptick in demand for skills in computer-aided drafting, legal research, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Addressing Workforce Development and Skill Gaps
To meet the evolving needs of Texas’ diverse economy, the Gulf Coast Workforce Board has been at the forefront of addressing workforce development and skill gaps. Our strategy is rooted in detailed data analysis and proactive engagement with stakeholders, ensuring that our initiatives meet the broad spectrum of industry demands while inclusively addressing the diverse needs of our community.
It’s to this end that we are proud to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our participation in the Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative, which aligns educational outcomes with the specific requirements of high-growth industries. Additionally, the Governor’s Tri-Agency Initiative, outlined in the ‘Building a Talent Strong Texas’ strategic plan, brings together the Texas Education Agency, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission to create a seamless education-to-employment pathway.
Collaborative efforts like these emphasize the need to expand access to high-quality education and training opportunities, improve alignment between postsecondary credentials and workforce demands, and support economic development through innovation.
Anticipating Future Workforce Trends
Looking ahead, we anticipate transformative growth across diverse sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable construction. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing our approach to challenges, from energy transition to healthcare diagnostics and personalized treatments in life sciences. This technological integration underscores the growing need for a highly skilled workforce.
In response, the Gulf Coast Workforce Board is strategically investing in educational programs that emphasize STEM skills, digital literacy, and the innovative applications of life sciences and AI. We are actively enhancing collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions to bridge the gap between current educational outcomes and future job market requirements. Moreover, we are encouraging local employers to invest in work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship programs that offer practical, hands-on experiences for our youth.
Our commitment extends to building a stronger community through better and more strategic communication, collaboration, and coordination. This will ensure our workforce not only meets the demands of a dynamic economic landscape, but also drives innovation and growth across the Gulf Coast region.
Setting The Benchmark
As we navigate the evolving Texas workforce landscape in 2024, it’s clear that our state’s resilience, adaptability, and commitment to workforce development will be key to our continued success. By fostering collaborations, investing in education and training, and anticipating future trends, we are building a skilled workforce that is well-prepared to tackle the challenges we face today, and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Together, we will drive innovation, growth, and prosperity for all Texans.
Juliet K. Stipeche is the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and the Director of Human Services at the Houston-Galveston Area Council.