TWC Chairman Daniel addresses skills gap in Texas during BAHEP general membership meeting

Chairman Bryan Daniel of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently spoke before a gathering of members of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. His presentation, How is Texas Preparing a Workforce of the Future?, addressed the skills gap in Texas.

Prior to the presentation, Tim Kropp, BAHEP board chair and executive vice president, MRI Technologies, welcomed and introduced the elected officials in attendance as well as new BAHEP members. BAHEP President Brian Freedman followed with an introduction of ChairmanDaniel.

During his presentation, Daniel related that Texas has won many economic development awards, and some organizations are now changing the criteria to win these awards. He mentioned various magazines that rank the best places for businesses, and urged people to consider the numbers rather than opinions.

Although Daniel’s background is in marketing and communications, he explained that he has a grasp of microeconomic principles despite not being an economist. He discussed the importance of workforce economics as a barometer for economic development, noting that itisconstantlychanging.

Daniel stated that, as of the end of February, Texas has more people working than ever before, and this trendhasbeenongoingfor 17 consecutive months.

He highlighted the size of Texas’ workforce and payroll jobs, comparing it to otherstatesintheU.S.

The TWC chairman told the audience, “In order to fill the many available jobs in Texas, local groups need to come together and focus on workforce development. The statecanassist,butthe real progress will happen at the local level.” He noted that 92 percent of jobs in Texas require some training after high school, and only 8 percent are entry-level, no -skillpositions.

Post high school training essential Daniel reported that there is a significant portion of the Texas population with little to no skills, leaving them competing for a small percentage of jobs. He highlighted the importance of middle-skills jobs, which require training after high school but not a university degree. These jobs can provide a substantial increase inincomeforworkers.

There are companies like Buc-ee'sthatpaywellabove minimum wage for certain positions, but they still require some post-high school training. Daniel emphasized the importance of obtaining the necessary training to qualify for better jobs, which can be done withthehelpofemployers.

“There is a need for individuals to get trained and geographically distributed in order to take advantage of available jobs. There is plenty of room for growth in Texas, but it's up to individuals to prepare themselvesfortheopportunities.

“We need to have a plan in place to address middleskills jobs, which include positions like welders, plumbers, electricians, and dental hygienists. These jobs offer sustainable incomesand oftenthe opportunity to own a business. We need to ensure that people have the right skills to fill these positions,” Danielsaid.

He continued, “We need to identify and address the small issues in our approach to filling middleskills jobs. To address these issues, we need to establish partnerships between high schools, community colleges,universities,andemployers. We must focus on providing solutions rather than getting enamored by specific programs or tools.”

Identify areas needing skilled workers Daniel explained, “In the solutions business, we can better identify areas where we need more skilled workers, like nurses, and focus on tactics that can help us achieve our goals. We need to be open to new approaches and value various credentials and qualifica- tions, such as associate degrees, certificates, and industry-basedcredentials.

Leadership crucial for change

“We need to maintain communication and collaboration among all stakeholders, including attending local meetings and events to build connections. Leadership is crucial in driving these changes, and we must engage with those who may not yet be participating or fully appreciate the opportunitiesavailable.

“Addressing the skills gap in Texas is essential, as there are currently 400,000 unfilled jobs. By focusing on solutions and working together, we can create more opportunities for individuals and businesses and ensure a prosperous future for all.”

The question and answer session following Daniel’s prepared remarks addressed topics such as job distribution in various counties, infrastructure limitations, and assisting disabled individuals in finding transportation to work. Daniel suggested working with local workforce boards like Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions to find answers to these issues. The event concluded with appreciation for the sponsors – Alvin Community College, Express Employment Professionals, San Jacinto College, and the University of Houston Clear Lake – the speakers, andvenue.

SATOP provides link between small businesses and needed technology

The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) isa State of Texas funded program that helps small businesses, especially minority- and womenowned businesses, faced with technical challenges by providing up to 40 hours of FREEtechnicalassistance.

This is accomplished by utilizing the vast engineering expertise of NASA and participating Alliance Partners (NASA contractors, subcontractors, orcolleges).

SATOP is designed to speed the transfer of the U.S. Space Program’s knowledge and technology to the private sector, to provide economic benefits to the community, and to raise public awareness of its Alliance Partners’ outreach programs.

Through an agreement with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, SATOP can offer small businesses and startups additional technical assistance from the Texas A&M University Engineering CapstoneDesignProgram. Senior engineering students, led by a professor of practice, work on a SATOP project for two consecutive semesters as a hands-on learning experience resulting in innovative designs, new manufacturing alternatives, and prototype development. Visit www.satop.space to learn more about this FREEprogram.