In Houston’s competitive labor market, Mike Feinberg is taking an unconventional approach to workforce development through WorkTexas, a nonprofit program launched in 2020 that provides free trade-based training to both young people and adults.
The program, which operates out of two Houston locations, offers instruction in high-demand fields including welding, carpentry, electrical work, and HVAC maintenance. What distinguishes WorkTexas from traditional vocational programs is its emphasis on both technical proficiency and workplace readiness skills.
“The technical skills are about 30% of what the employers want,” Feinberg explains. “We have a hundred and forty-eight employer partners in Houston right now, they all say the exact same thing… what we really need is people who get to work on time.”
Feinberg’s Focus on Long-Term Success
Unlike conventional training programs that primarily track certification rates, WorkTexas maintains contact with graduates for up to five years after program completion. This long-term commitment helps ensure participants not only secure employment but advance in their careers.
“We’re not just looking at how the students are doing with us this year,” Feinberg says. “We make a commitment to follow our students for at least five years to help them not just get the job. We’re interested in what that looks like in terms of career contentment and especially in terms of earning power and creating sustainable lives for themselves, their families and future generations.”
Building Comprehensive Support Systems
The program has established partnerships with more than 100 employers who provide input on curriculum development and employment opportunities. Additionally, WorkTexas coordinates with local organizations to address participants’ needs beyond job training, including transportation and childcare assistance.
Through grants and scholarships, most participants can attend the 11-week training sessions at no cost. The program has expanded its original offerings to include commercial truck driving, medical assistant training, and warehouse management instruction. Recent program data shows that 70% of WorkTexas alumni have secured new jobs or improved their positions where they work as a result of the training, with average initial wages of $19.10 per hour. This approach to workforce development emphasizes practical skills training combined with ongoing support to help participants build sustainable careers in Houston’s growing trades sector.
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