Employer-Led Solutions
UpSkill Houston brings together employers, educators, and community partners to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. Focused on careers that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, the initiative helps workers gain in-demand skills and connects them to good-paying jobs in fields like energy, health care, advanced manufacturing, and construction. UpSkill Houston also equips employers with tools to implement skills-first hiring and talent development strategies.
Years of workforce leadership
Houstonians hold middle-skill jobs – the initiative's core focus
Employers and partners engaged in the initiative
UpSkill Houston collaborates with community colleges, school districts, and training providers to ensure that programs are aligned with workforce needs. By equipping learners with the right skills and credentials, the initiative helps more people access high-demand jobs and career advancement opportunities.
Employer Leadership
Employers are central to UpSkill Houston’s success. The initiative empowers business leaders to define job competencies, champion skills-first hiring, and invest in talent pipelines that strengthen their industries. Cross-sector collaboration drives solutions that are scalable, equitable, and impactful.
Signature workforce tools developed: the Matrix and Playbook
Tools & Insights
From the Work Ready Skills Matrix to the Skills Validation Playbook, UpSkill Houston equips employers and partners with actionable tools to support training, hiring, and advancement. The initiative also publishes data-driven insights to help align workforce efforts with economic needs.