Addressing a growing skills gap by closing economic disparities will be critical as Houston’s hydrogen economy grows. To address this opportunity, the Greater Houston Partnership's UpSkill Houston initiative, Accenture and the Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) have launched a new workforce development initiative that aims to help people in disadvantaged communities (DACs) secure good jobs in the emerging hydrogen economy by bridging the skills gap through training and skill development. According to the executive summary of a forthcoming white paper, the strategy will target high-demand and good-paying, middle-skilled hydrogen jobs through a skill-matching process based on skill transferability, among other factors, as well as tailored learning journeys that will provide pathways from education to employment. This will require collaborating with key stakeholders across the hydrogen economy, including local industry employers, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. The list of partners includes Air Liquide, Chevron, bp, Bloom Energy, Calpine, Dow, HIG, Linde, Shell, SLB, Brazosport College, Houston Community College, Lee College, Lone Stage College, San Jacinto College, United Way of Greater Houston and Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions. The learning journeys will help people increase their earning potential and provide career stability by having direct access to the hydrogen sector. “The future growth of the hydrogen industry in Houston and the Gulf Coast provides the region with the opportunity to collaborate with business and industry to rewire the talent pathways into the hydrogen sector and increase economic mobility and opportunity for residents of communities historically underserved.” - Peter Beard, SVP, Regional Workforce Development The consortium aims to work with community stakeholders and educational institutions to align career and technical education (CTE) in high schools with dual credit in community colleges. The ongoing collaboration with colleges and school districts will also support the development of shorter-term programs for adults.  The new initiative follows the U.S. Department of Energy’s selection of the Gulf Coast as one of seven regional clean hydrogen hubs, with operations centered in Houston. Brett Perlman, President of the Center for Houston’s Future, says employers must implement inclusive workforce strategies to fill the skills gap and mobilize a sustainably scaled workforce by recruiting talent from throughout the community. Accenture’s research has found a high degree of jobs will be needed for hydrogen with highly correlated skills from other occupations and industries already in place. “Making this happen requires being very purposeful about the intersection of these opportunities and... working across the ecosystem,” said Mary Beth Gracy, Houston Office Managing Director of Accenture, during a presentation of the strategy. The findings also predict a steady rise in middle-skill jobs within Houston’s clean energy hydrogen economy over the next five to 10 years, especially in carbon capture and storage (CCS), as well as consistent growth in manufacturing, application, storage, distribution and production as demand and technology advances. Robert Nunmaker, General Manager – Hydrogen, USGC & Europe at Chevron, echoed the report's conclusions. "This region plays a key role in supplying lower-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, which will require a skilled local workforce that will be positioned to execute these projects.” According to research conducted by McKinsey and CHF, Texas - and the Gulf Coast region as a whole - are already the nation’s largest hydrogen producers with more than 1,000 miles of dedicated hydrogen pipelines and 48 hydrogen production plants. The region is also home to a diverse array of energy resources, including a large concentration of academic and industry-driven energy innovation, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. Looking at the future energy mix, hydrogen is anticipated to be twelve percent of the total energy consumption by 2050, according to the IEA. In its Houston as a Hydrogen Hub – 2050 Snapshot report, the Center for Houston’s Future predicts that 170,000 potential direct, indirect and induced jobs could be created in the hydrogen economy, as well as an additional $100 billion for Texas’ gross domestic product. Learn more about UpSkill Houston.

As Houston’s housing market is beginning to show signs of improvement, many new residential developments are starting to take shape across the region.   According to the Greater Houston Partnership’s Monthly Home Sales Update, inventory is approaching pre-pandemic levels with 39,757 homes listed last month, nearly double last year’s 20,620. Here is a roundup of developments rising in the region.   West Houston  Click to expand Chaucer  A 12-story midrise condominium tower is planned in Rice Village, with construction slated to begin this September. The 30-home community will feature seven standard floor plans and five penthouse plans.  Grange  Grange, a 1,150-acre community, recently broke ground in Katy. Located off Morton Road and FM 2855, Grange will offer 2,400 homes and feature waterways and green spaces. The first phase of development is expected to be completed by 2025.  Click to expand The Madison  The Madison, a seven-story, 35-unit condominium, is set to break ground this year in Montrose. Expected to be completed in 2026, the development will feature a two-story parking garage, a fitness center and a game room area.  North Houston  Colton  Colton, a 5,700-acre community located in Montgomery County, is expected to bring nearly 11,000 homes to the area. According to the Houston Business Journal, 600 lots are slated to be delivered by this October, while home sales are expected to begin in 2025.   Oakberry Trails  Construction recently began on a 212-acre, 800-home master-planned community in Waller County dubbed Oakberry Trails. The community will include outdoor amenities such as a fishing pond, event pavilion and a gaming center. Homes will be available for sale this summer.   Click to expand The Everstead  The Everstead, a 23.5-acre development, recently broke ground in Conroe. The community will offer 190 units, consisting of a mix of two- and three-bedroom ranch-style homes and townhomes. Expected to be completed in 2025, The Everstead will feature a 2,817-square-foot clubhouse, resort-style pool, dog park, playground and pickleball and bocce courts.   Click to expand The Sylvan  A 22-acre, 300-unit community, The Sylvan, recently broke ground in The Woodlands. The single-family community will feature modern amenities such as seating areas, fire pits and dining spaces, a pool, yoga studio, spa and sauna. A portion of the units will be completed in 2025.   South Houston  Click to expand Indigo  Indigo, a 235-acre master-planned community located in Fort Bend County, is projected to start home construction this month, with home sales expected to start in May. At full buildout, the community will bring 650 homes and 150 apartments to the area by 2026. Indigo will feature a 12-acre town center with a cafe and grocery store, a 42-acre community farm, lake and walking trails.  Legacy A 705-acre master-planned community, Legacy, recently broke ground in League City. At full buildout, Legacy will offer 1,600 homesites, with the first set of homes scheduled to be delivered in 2025. The community will feature parks, play areas, a recreation center, lakes and walking trails.  Galveston Roseate Beach  Construction is expected to begin soon on Roseate Beach, a 160-home beachfront community, located on Galveston’s West Beach. The 70-acre upscale development will offer premium amenities such as a resort-style pool and various pickleball courts. Slated for completion in 2025, homebuyers can now reserve future lots.   Click to expand Tiara on the Beach  Tiara on the Beach, a luxury 10-story condominium, will start construction this summer on Galveston Island. The 63-unit tower will offer waterfront views alongside community amenities, including a pool, outdoor grilling area, yoga studio, pickleball courts, golf simulator and a cigar and wine tasting lounge.  Discover more about living in Houston.