How to Leverage Texas Talent for Business Growth

By Aaron Demerson (TxEDC) and Commissioner Joe Esparza (TWC)

In Texas, we’ve always believed that people are our greatest resource and the most strategic investment a business can make. As companies pivot around global economic shifts, workforce uncertainty, and rising operational costs, one thing remains clear: business growth depends on talent. That’s why here in Texas, we’ve built more than an economy. We’ve built a talent ecosystem that’s deep, diverse, and focused on the future.

At the heart of that ecosystem is what we often call our “secret sauce.” It’s a unique collaboration between economic development, workforce training, and education, backed by committed elected leadership. When these elements work together, they power job growth and launch generational success.

Texas understands that workforce development isn’t one-size-fits-all. Businesses in every sector, from advanced manufacturing to tech to energy, need talent solutions tailored to their industries. That’s where the Texas Workforce Commission comes in. With statewide programs designed to support businesses of all sizes, TWC is helping employers recruit, train, and retain skilled workers more efficiently and effectively.

“As partners in Texas’ economic success, employers and educators must work together to ensure Texas remains a national leader in career training and industry-driven education,” said Commissioner Joe Esparza of the Texas Workforce Commission. “The Texas Workforce Commission works every day to ensure that the programs we invest in, and the policies we create, are responsive to the opportunities our employers are facing—whether they’re in manufacturing, energy, construction, IT, healthcare, or emerging industries we haven’t even named yet.”

Programs like the Skills Development Fund offer customized job training in partnership with community colleges. As a result, businesses can get workers with exactly the skills they need, right when they need them.

The Texas Industry Partnership (TIP) program brings industry leaders to the table to co-invest in training solutions. The Self-Sufficiency Fund helps remove employment barriers for individuals who are ready to work but need a hand to do so.

And the High Demand Job Training Program provides targeted funding through local economic development organizations to train workers in high-growth, high-need occupations across Texas.

We’re especially proud of the work being done to support veterans transitioning back into the workforce. Texas is the proud home to more than 1.5 million veterans. And they bring leadership, discipline, and a unique sense of mission to every employer they join.

Through initiatives like the Texas Veterans Leadership Program and the statewide Hiring Red, White & You! hiring fairs, we’re honoring their service and providing ways to activate their potential. These programs help veterans reskill and upskill into high-demand roles in manufacturing, logistics, technology, and beyond.

This effort doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Local workforce boards, economic developers, and community colleges across Texas are on the front lines and translating state strategy into real-world hiring success. They know their regions best, and they’re helping businesses tap into talent where it’s needed most.

Nowhere is that workforce momentum more visible than in advanced manufacturing. As global tariffs reshape the supply chain and international companies look to re-shore operations, Texas has emerged as the destination of choice. From automotive manufacturing to semiconductor production, companies are setting up shop here because they know the talent is here — and the pipeline is only getting stronger.

Recent moves across industries reinforce our strengths. John Paul Mitchell Systems, for example, is relocating its corporate headquarters from California to Dallas. As co-founder John Paul DeJoria explained, “It’s a great place to live — Texas has good family values, and it has a lot of opportunities and assistance to businesses that come here. And there’s a great labor force here of educated, good human beings.” That kind of perspective speaks directly to why CEOs continue to choose Texas — not just for policy, but for people.

Take another example from the semiconductor industry: GlobalWafers, a Taiwanese silicon wafer manufacturer, recently opened a $3.5 billion 300mm wafer facility in Sherman, the first of its kind in the U.S. in over two decades, with plans for an additional $4 billion in investment.

The company cited strong local demand and the ability to navigate tariff and supply chain challenges as key reasons for choosing Texas. These investments create hundreds of high-skilled roles and prove Texas not only attracts top-tier operations, but cultivates the human capital to support them.

And preparation is key. Texas isn’t waiting for the future to arrive. We’re actively building it. Through registered apprenticeship programs, early college high schools, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local workforce boards, Texas is helping young Texans find purpose, gain practical skills, and step confidently into careers that matter. We’re upskilling rural communities, strengthening diversity in our hiring pools, and ensuring that employers can tap into a workforce that reflects the strength of our entire state.

This statewide strategy is part of the reason Texas continues to lead the nation in attracting business investment — as reflected in our 13 consecutive Governor’s Cup wins. When CEOs evaluate where to grow, they’re not just choosing a location — they’re choosing a workforce.

And more often than not, they choose Texas.

The truth is, business success in Texas doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. We work every day to ensure that the people powering our economy are trained, supported, and ready to grow alongside the businesses that call Texas home.

If you’re looking to grow a business, expand operations, or simply find the talent that can take your company to the next level, look no further than Texas. From veterans to recent graduates, from rural towns to booming metros, the talent is here. And with the right programs in place, the time to act is now.

In Texas, we don’t just build for today. We build for generations. That’s how we grow business. And that’s how we grow Texas.