Texas workforce strategy key to strong economy
If Texas were a country, it would be the 9th largest in the world. We achieved that incredible statistic through a diverse economy, teamwork among our economic developers — and the second largest workforce in the nation.
At 14 million strong, our skilled workforce is a key factor in Texas’ rapid growth and our accelerating prospects for national and international business relocation and investment.
The availability of a large skilled labor force, according to a recent survey of corporate decision-makers by Area Development, is the Number 1 factor in site selection.
“Texas is exceptional because of the men and women across our state who go to work every day to earn a living, provide for their families, and make a difference in their communities,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, who launched the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative in 2016 to develop a statewide workforce strategy. “It is essential that we continue to provide Texans with the skills and knowledge they need to flourish.”
Building a workforce pipeline for the future
Texas universities, community colleges, technical education and career development programs, and our economic development organizations are actively engaged in ensuring that the pool of available talent in Texas has what it needs to continue to grow.
Texas workers see the vital link between career and education. Even during the pandemic — with the challenges of remote instruction — state university systems saw increases in enrollment.
“It’s clear that Texans know the importance of getting an education to getting a job and to having a great career,” said James B. Milliken, chancellor of The University of Texas System at the inaugural Statewide Workforce Strategy Series webinar, where he was a keynote speaker. “And it’s our job to deliver what they need.”
TxEDC, TWC workforce webinar series
The March 10 Statewide Workforce Strategy Series webinar, sponsored by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Economic Development Corp., was the first in a three-month series of six webinars. These feature the partnership of Texas institutions of higher education, community colleges, technical and career training programs, and economic development organizations.
We sponsored a second webinar featuring community colleges on March 24.
If you missed the webinars on March 10 and March 24, you can watch them on video. Get timely info on upcoming webinars in this series by registering for updates.
Our partners agree on the importance of Texas’ skilled labor. TxEDC is pleased to be a part of this statewide effort to build a strong workforce in Texas.
Texas’ strong economy owes its success to a diverse skilled workforce, the 2nd largest in the nation.