Texas Careers: Preparing Students for the Future Workforce

Texas is hustling to gear up its students for the jobs of tomorrow. With nearly two-thirds of new jobs needing more than a high school diploma in the next five years, the state is in a pickle. Many graduates are missing the key skills needed to fill these roles. The governor, Greg Abbott, has a plan. He wants to pump more money into career training programs in high schools. This includes early college programs and partnerships in rural areas. Abbott believes that high schools should prepare students for jobs right after graduation. By 2030, the governor wants 63% of Texas' workforce to have education beyond high school. But currently, only 40% of students get a degree or workforce credential within six years of graduating high school. And only 32% of workers have the skills needed for these jobs. Abbott set a goal in 2015 for 60% of Texas' 25- to 34-year-olds to have a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. This means 550, 000 more students need to earn a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Workforce training advocates see this as a chance to help students break the cycle of poverty and get living-wage jobs. Only 26% of young adult Texans in 2022 earned enough to cover essential expenses. Greg Mangum, from United Way, said, "We need more students in these programs to help them get into good jobs. " More funding could mean more collaboration between businesses and schools. Jarrad Toussant, from the Dallas Regional Chamber, said, "This would help districts find talent and employers get trained workers. "

Abbott also wants to boost teacher pay and allow public money to be used for private schools. Currently, 73. 3% of Texas’ public high school students are in some form of career and technical education. But these programs can be pricey and require special equipment. For example, Dallas ISD is building career institutes across the district instead of at each high school. Students can learn aviation, HVAC, and other skills. The state’s Jobs & Education for Texans Grant Program helps schools buy pricey equipment. Susan Hoff, from the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, said, "More public dollars would ease the burden on nonprofits to focus on helping students and families. " Texas invested over $3 billion in career technical education programs in fiscal year 2022. Abbott’s proposal doesn’t include a specific funding boost, but he noted that Texas invested more than $7 billion in these programs over the last two years. Advocates want to focus on fast-growing industries like information technology, health care, manufacturing, construction, and trades. Mary Lynn Pruneda, from Texas 2036, said, "We don’t want districts to offer programs that aren’t aligned with workforce needs. " Schools must make sure their programs match the labor market. Brian Lusk, from Dallas ISD, said, "It’s about making sure our kids are ready to win. "

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