Skip to main content

Talent & Workforce

The Houston metro area is the most racially and ethnically diverse region in the United States and the fifth most populous metro with over 7.3 million people. A strong economy with expanding businesses, numerous universities and technical schools, and a relatively low cost of living that draws new residents combine to make this one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. The metro area had the second largest numeric increase (124,281) in population of any U.S. metro from July 2021 to July 2022, reflecting a 1.7 percent increase. Consistently ranking among the nation's leaders when it comes to job growth, Houston set a record for employment growth in 2021, adding over 172,000 jobs. The Houston metro area added another 145,700 jobs the following year.

With a labor force of more than 3 million workers, the Houston area offers the large variety of talent at all skill levels necessary for a wide range of industries from professional services to health care and advanced manufacturing to aerospace. The region is also a growing hub for young talent, ranking among the top 10 in the U.S. for attracting millennials and retaining college graduates.

34.2%

Population with a bachelor's degree or higher

300,000+

Educated millennials

243,000+

Net tech workforce

There is also a regional focus on developing tomorrow's workforce through educating young people on emerging industries and re-training mid-career professionals for high-demand careers. Houston has developed a strong bridge between the talent needs of various industries and the educational programs being offered through colleges, universities and technical programs.

Explore Houston's diversity

Higher Education

The Houston region is home to more than 40 two-year community colleges and four-year universities, including three Tier 1 universities: Rice University, University of Houston, and Texas A&M University. Houston-area colleges and universities educate almost 425,000 students and graduate nearly 100,000 students annually. In addition, another estimated 20,000 students are enrolled annually in local trade, vocational, and business schools specializing in law, health care, welding, process technology, and other disciplines.

40+

Two-year community colleges and four-year universities

50

Trade, vocational, and business schools

425,000

Students enrolled in colleges and universities in fall '22

Two-Year Community Colleges
Four-Year or Above

Regional Workforce Development Initiatives

UpSkill Houston

The Greater Houston Partnership developed UpSkill Houston, a comprehensive, industry-led approach to bridge the gap and fill jobs in 'middle-skills' occupations.

Learn more

Houston Back on Track

Houston Back On Track is an employer-led job recovery initiative with a mission to help get Houstonians back on their feet by working with Houston employers with current openings for quality, future-focused jobs.

Learn more

Related News

Workforce Development

Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: San Jacinto College and Houston Spaceport Creating Pathways to Aerospace Careers

10/10/24
Turning a challenge into an opportunity is something Houston—and many other cities—know well when competing to attract new businesses. In its early days, the Houston Spaceport faced a major hurdle: a shortage of skilled aerospace technicians in the region. However, rather than seeing this as a setback, the spaceport transformed it into an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leader in the aerospace industry.  The Need for Collaboration   Workforce supports the growth of any industry. Despite Houston’s deep-rooted history in the industry and the spaceport’s strategic location near NASA's Johnson Space Center, it lost a major tenant to a competing state. According to Houston Airport System Director Jim Szczesniak, the setback underscored the critical need for a robust workforce development program that could retain and attract aerospace companies.  Determined to never lose another company for the same reason, the spaceport turned to San Jacinto College (SJC), a recognized leader in workforce training. Together, they saw an opportunity to solve Houston’s workforce gap and lay the foundation for something much bigger — a pipeline of skilled aerospace talent that would not just serve one company, but an entire industry.   In 2020, their shared vision became a reality with the launch of the EDGE Center, a cutting-edge educational facility specifically designed to train the next generation of aerospace technicians.   “By fostering a collaborative environment, we create a unique value proposition for companies seeking to establish or expand their operations in the region,” Szczesniak said. “Our ability to connect industry leaders with skilled talent and supportive infrastructure provides a competitive advantage that is unmatched. This collaborative approach accelerates innovation, reduces time-to-market, and ultimately strengthens Houston's position as a premier aerospace hub.”  Developing Curriculum for the Industry  Sarah Janes, associate vice chancellor of continuing & professional development at the San Jacinto College District, said SJC conducted visits to spaceports and aerospace companies worldwide to ensure the EDGE Center’s curriculum aligned with industry needs. This allowed them to gather valuable insights into the challenges and skill gaps in the field.  An advisory committee made up of local industry leaders was also established to ensure that the programs remained relevant and responsive to regional demands. SJC hosts bi-monthly advisory meetings to keep the curriculum flexible and forward-thinking, allowing the EDGE Center to meet the current needs of aerospace companies and anticipate future industry shifts.  “Whenever a new company comes to this region, they are always interested in the workforce that is already here to support them, as well as how more people can be trained for the skills that they will need for their company," Janes said. “Working with economic development partners as well as entities such as the Houston Spaceport, provides those new possibilities with the reasons that make this area their first choice for a place to take root.”  Collaboration with Industry Leaders  With phase one completed in 2019 and the arrival of anchor tenants like Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines set the stage for deeper industry collaboration. The companies partnered with SJC to develop industry-specific curricula, mentor aspiring technicians, lead lab courses, offer internships and hire students for high-profile projects.  Intuitive Machines has played an instrumental role in providing hands-on training and creating a direct pathway for students to enter the aerospace industry. According to Janes, many EDGE Center students worked on the company’s Lunar Lander, with 18 now hired full-time and set to work on future lunar missions.  “Between the lander's engine, carbon composites, software, and electronics required to build a Nova-C lunar lander, it takes an incredible amount of touch labor to get to the launch pad,” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said in an SJC article. “We work closely with San Jacinto College to foster certification courses for technicians to complete training, intern, and full-time hire into our lunar program.”  Through strong industry collaboration and the focused efforts of the spaceport and SJC, the EDGE Center has made remarkable strides in fulfilling its mission. One example is Cyrus Shy, one of the first students enrolled in the EDGE Center’s composites program. After getting a job with Intuitive Machines, Shy was later hired by Windhover Labs, which was recently tasked with building scale test versions of Venus Aerospace’s hypersonic aircraft.  Another graduate, Charlotte Newell, transitioned from being a hairdresser to an electrical technician through the EDGE Center’s Basic Electrical and Electronic program. After completing the program, she was hired by Collins Aerospace and later Intuitive Machines. Newell is now pursuing an engineering degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Future Growth and Expansion  The Aerospace Institute, an initiative aimed at expanding connections between higher education institutions and the aerospace industry, is a key component of the spaceport’s second phase of development. Although still in its early stages, the project is progressing alongside plans to expand the EDGE Center. According to Janes, over $1 million in new equipment will enhance existing programs and add courses that reflect industry demands. The expansion will allow the EDGE Center to continue serving as a critical pipeline of talent for the region’s growing aerospace industry.  Learn more about Houston’s growing aerospace industry and the Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative. 
Read More
Talent

UpSkill Houston Marks 10 Years of Empowering a Skilled Workforce

9/12/24
Since its launch in 2014, the Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative has become a cornerstone of regional workforce development, uniting leaders from over 200 businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create a skilled and resilient workforce for the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region. Celebrating 10 years of impact, UpSkill Houston has focused on building talent pipelines essential to the growth and global competitiveness of local industries. UpSkill Houston's regional impact: 150 employers engaged in four industry sector collaboratives focused on building talent pipelines. Over 70 education, community and workforce organizations committed to collaborating with employers. More than 200,000 students impacted, showcasing how deeply intertwined UpSkill’s work is with both the business community and our educational institutions.  Fostering Industry and Education Partnerships One of UpSkill Houston’s key strengths lies in the partnerships it has fostered between industry and education. Through collaborations with Greater Houston Partnership members and partners, these efforts have spurred the development of workforce programs that not only meet the needs of local employers but also provide students with direct paths to sustainable careers. Examples include: San Jacinto College’s Center for Petrochemical Energy and Technology Alvin Community College and Lonza collaboration Industrial Craft Competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo   A Catalyst for Economic Mobility  “UpSkill Houston plays an important role in the Partnership’s ‘Opportunity for All’ pillar, which aims to increase economic prosperity and mobility for residents while ensuring industries have the skilled workers needed to grow the region’s economy and strengthen its global competitiveness,” Katie Pryor, the Partnership’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said during the 10th anniversary conference.   In 2023, the Burning Glass Institute (BGI) selected the Greater Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region to be its partner site for its Jobs That Mobilize (JTM) initiative. The initiative is testing and deploying a new data-driven approach that uses skills adjacencies to help workers achieve greater mobility in the Houston region. BGI’s research has uncovered several key insights: On average, skills-based transitions provide a 15 percent wage increase between origin roles and JTM roles.  JTM roles provide long-term mobility for workers.  Roles often expand talent pools for employers by twice or three times more. According to BGI, 37 percent of the skills requirements for a given occupation have changed over the past five years. BGI President Matt Sigelman provided three things the Houston region must do to ensure growth and economic opportunity: Know what talent you will need and where the gaps lie.   Develop a strategy for targeted upskilling and reskilling.  Grow the pie by tapping hidden talent pools and playing your whole team.   Preparing for Houston’s Future Workforce As the regional economy transitions from industrial into a knowledge-based, technology-enabled economy, UpSkill Houston will continue its leadership in driving a skills-first approach that meets the changing demands of employers. “Our human capital is the Houston region’s single greatest asset,” Peter Beard, Sr. Vice President of regional workforce development, said. “Our workforce, whether we cultivate and develop it here in the region or attract it from other parts of the country or world, our workers are the backbone, brainpower, innovation, and ultimately, they are the power that drives and grows our economy.” As UpSkill Houston enters its second decade, the initiative remains committed to ensuring that Houston’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the region’s evolving economy, while continuing to drive inclusive economic growth for all residents. See how UpSkill Houston's decade of collaboration continues to shape the future of workforce mobility and drive economic growth for our region. Learn more about how you can get engaged in UpSkill.
Read More

Related Events

Education and Workforce Event

Houston DiverseCity Summit

Ready to explore what’s next? Join the Greater Houston Partnership for the fourth annual Houston DiverseCity Summit, an inspiring gathering dedicated to advancing talent as a key driver of the…

Learn More
Learn More

Get in touch with our team to assist with additional Talent questions, such as:

  • Workforce economy statistics 
  • Economic and employment data 
  • Assistance with skills development training
Peter Beard
Senior Vice President
Regional Workforce Development
E
pbeard@houston.org
P
713-844-3602
Looking for the rest of our team?
Partnership Staff
Executive Partners