Gov. Greg Abbott has directed four state agencies to take immediate steps to expand workforce training and help more Texans qualify for high-demand, high-paying jobs in the trades and other critical industries.
The directives, announced during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion on Monday, stem from recommendations developed by the Texas Jobs Council, a workforce advisory group Abbott created earlier this year.
“The demand for a high-skilled workforce has never been greater,” Abbott said. “I tasked the Texas Jobs Council with developing recommendations that could be implemented immediately through either executive or agency action to make sure we have the best trained workforce in the United States.”
The governor said the actions are designed to strengthen Texas’ workforce development system as employers continue to seek workers in skilled trades, technical fields, and other growing sectors.
Apprenticeships And Career Resources
Under Abbott’s directives, the Texas Workforce Commission will expand apprenticeship opportunities by identifying new occupations eligible for apprenticeship programs across multiple industries.
The agency will also create a centralized online hub for career-planning resources, develop unified career pathways for veterans, foster youth, and Texans with disabilities, and launch digital Learning and Employment Records through the state’s Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative.
State officials said the records are intended to help streamline connections between job seekers and employers.
Expanding Career Education In Schools
The Texas Education Agency has been directed to recruit more skilled trades professionals to teach Career and Technical Education courses in high schools.
The agency will expand local teaching permits, provide guidance to school districts, update approved industry certification lists, and bring additional hands-on trade experiences to rural and small school districts through mobile STEM laboratories.
Abbott also directed TEA to expand the Texas Regional Pathways Network statewide, increasing access to workforce-focused dual-credit opportunities for high school students.
New Focus On Trade Careers
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will launch a new campaign, “You Go to College for That,” through the My Texas Future platform.
The initiative is designed to highlight careers in skilled trades and other high-demand fields that do not require a traditional four-year degree.
The board will also provide career-advising training for K-12 counselors and college advisors and introduce new community college dashboards that provide data on workforce programs and valuable credentials.
Officials said the goal is to help students better understand career opportunities that lead directly to employment.
Licensing Changes Under Review
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will examine ways to allow younger Texans to enter apprenticeship programs, Career and Technical Education pathways, and licensed trades earlier while maintaining safety standards.
The agency will also waive renewal fees and reduce continuing education requirements for more than 20,000 Career and Technical Education instructors.
Additional changes include allowing certain training experiences to count toward licensing requirements and expanding options for both in-person and remote licensing examinations.
State officials said the measures are intended to help workers move more quickly from training into licensed professions.
Texas Jobs Council To Continue Work
Abbott established the Texas Jobs Council in March to identify workforce development improvements that could be implemented through executive action or future legislation.
The council worked with the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to develop the recommendations announced Monday.
Texas Jobs Council co-chairs Megan Mauro, interim president of the Texas Association of Business, and Brent Taylor, Southern Region vice president of the Teamsters, joined Abbott for the announcement alongside business leaders, labor representatives and state officials.
The council is expected to reconvene this fall to develop recommendations for the 90th Texas Legislature. A final report is scheduled for release in November 2026.
Texas officials said the latest actions are intended to ensure the state’s workforce keeps pace with economic growth and increasing demand for skilled workers across multiple industries.
