Texas is a big state, and there are different skills gaps in different regions. One striking trend did emerge in our research on the 28 Workforce Board regions in Texas—across the board, the above median wage, growing jobs are in construction and manufacturing, and related fields. This reflects a larger demographic trend—the aging of the skilled trades workforce. It is clear that secondary CTE programs in Texas are not delivering the kinds of skill-based and hands-on training that will enable students to enter these gainful careers.
Powering the future: Texas must expand energy career & technical education
Astronauts. Ballerinas. Doctors. Firefighters. Oilfield workers? One of these things is not like the others. When children daydream about what they want to be when they grow up, oil and gas jobs rarely make the list — even in Texas, the country’s top energy-producing state. That needs to change for sake of the future of...