Bloomberg Philanthropies Invests $17 Million in Houston’s Skilled Trades Workforce

Houston is one of nine geographies selected for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new national skilled trades initiative, which connects high school students to coursework, paid on-the-job training and Registered Apprenticeships in high-demand skilled trades careers, reflecting the region’s potential to serve as a model for workforce development.

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment will support a regional effort led by Houston City College (HCC) in collaboration with the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Independent School District (HISD), Good Reason Houston, Bridge Year, Alief Independent School District, CenterPoint Energy, Gulf Coast Region Apprenticeship Hub, Hays Electrical, Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee-Plumbers Local Union 68, and Pipefitters Local 211. The initiative will expand access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs in electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC, industrial maintenance and carpentry.

Coverage in The Wall Street Journal places Houston’s effort within a broader national focus on career-connected learning and the growing need for skilled trades talent.

Connecting Students to Careers

Houston employers need more skilled workers as the region grows. Demand remains strong across construction, energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. These careers can offer strong wages and long-term advancement without requiring a four-year degree.

“Houston continues to win, attracting companies from all over the world to open new operations here that create new job opportunities for Houstonians. We are grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for recognizing Houston’s opportunity to build a stronger, more connected talent pipeline that expands access to these high-demand careers. We are proud to be part of this effort to expand economic opportunity across the region,” said Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean.

The investment will strengthen connections among schools, employers, workforce organizations and community partners. The goal is to help more students explore skilled trades careers earlier, access training and work-based learning opportunities, and move into jobs with the skills and credentials employers need.

The initiative will serve more than 1,350 career and technical education students over three years through the development of Ready Set Next, the region’s career connectivity platform built by the Greater Houston Partnership and powered by Pathful – a GenAI-powered system. This platform will help students and adults explore high-opportunity career pathways, connect with work-based learning experiences and identify education, training and apprenticeship opportunities aligned to their interests and regional workforce demand.

Ready Set Next is designed to give students and workers across the region more personalized guidance as they navigate what comes next. By connecting an individual’s skills, interests and experiences with real workforce data, education and training options, support services and employer opportunities, the platform will help users identify clear pathways and take actionable steps toward credentials, degrees and careers with long-term growth potential.

Through Ready Set Next, students can:

• Explore career pathways grounded in real workforce data
• Find and connect to training programs, credentials and apprenticeships
• Access work-based learning opportunities, mentorship and support services
• Take clear next steps from career discovery to action

Supporting Houston’s Workforce Pipeline

Now entering its pilot phase, Ready Set Next will help connect more students to the education, training and apprenticeship opportunities that lead to high-demand careers. For skilled trades pathways, the platform will increase student awareness and engagement, helping young people discover career options earlier while making it easier for employers and workforce partners to connect with future talent.

The Greater Houston Partnership’s involvement reflects its broader commitment to aligning workforce development with employer needs through UpSkill Houston. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ support also highlights the strength of the region’s collaborative approach to building a stronger skilled trades pipeline and expanding economic opportunity.

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Contact:

Julia McGowen

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Greater Houston Partnership