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.

Houston continues to evolve as a premier destination for life sciences and biomanufacturing through a multifaceted strategy that capitalizes on its existing strengths and fosters innovation and growth.   Since its inception in 1945, the Texas Medical Center has evolved into a vast medical district spanning 5 square miles  and serving over ten million patients annually.  More than 60 institutions operate within the Texas Medical Center, serving as a catalyst for Houston’s collaborative ecosystem, with efforts like the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center, JLABS@TMC and CUBIO. This helps set the stage for groundbreaking research and provides direct access to nearly 5,000 active clinical trials, a major boon to innovation.   Recent years have witnessed significant strides in laying a robust foundation for Houston's position as a leader in innovative life sciences and biotechnology. These efforts came into focus last month at Bisnow’s Life Sciences Evolution event, with leaders in the life sciences industry, real estate and innovation envisioning the future growth of the Houston life sciences market. Among the assets shared as advantages were access to clinical trials, business environment, workforce efforts and quality of life.   “Having access to the patient population is critical to success, especially a diverse population,” Monique Knighten, PhD of Portal Innovations said. “There’s a key benefit to have access to these clinical trials and the expertise involved, as well as living close to where the science is being developed.”   Legislative actions, such as the passage of Proposition 10 in November which provides new incentives for medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, enhances the region's competitiveness and economic prospects. Additionally, investments in workforce development, exemplified by collaborations between educational institutions and industry partners like San Jacinto College and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), ensure a skilled talent pool for the future.  “The relationships with companies, colleges and high schools are integral,” Pearland EDC Vice President Brian Malone said on the panel at Bisnow discussing suburban life sciences growth. “We’ve really worked hard on that with a business retention plan to find out what type of training and what type of workers these companies need.”   Furthermore, substantial real estate investments further support life sciences research and development. TMC’s Helix Park opened in 2023 with the TMC Collaborative Building and industry research hub Dynamic One, with new tenant Houston Methodist leasing 75,800 square feet. Just north inside the Medical District, Hines’ Levit Green is now leasing nearly 300,000 square feet of purpose-built lab and office space as part of a future 53-acre district. On the northeast side of the metro, McCord’s master-planned Generation Park recently broke ground on a new Center for Biotechnology in partnership with San Jacinto College. In The Woodlands, Alexandria is developing 8800 Technology Forest Place into 325,000 square feet of Class A space.   Initiatives such as the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and a thriving innovation ecosystem further reinforce the city's position at the forefront of bioscience breakthroughs and economic impact.  With strategic advantages like its top-ranked port, diverse population, and accessibility to global markets, Houston is poised to further elevate its status as a hub for life sciences innovation. As Houston continues to advance its life sciences and biotechnology sector, opportunities for collaboration and growth abound, driving progress in public health and driving the next wave of bioscience innovation.   Explore Houston's dynamic life sciences ecosystem.