Local Vocational Program Fills Gap Between Training and Employment
A Houston vocational program is redefining trade education by focusing on what employers truly need – reliable workers who can collaborate effectively.
WorkTexas, co-founded by education veteran, furniture retailer Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, and juvenile justice advocate Vanessa Ramirez, has discovered what many traditional vocational schools miss: technical skills alone aren’t enough.
“The technical skills are about 30% of what employers want,” Feinberg explains. “What they really need is people who get to work on time, people who can work on a team.”
Since launching in 2020, WorkTexas has trained Houstonians in trades including welding, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and culinary arts – all while emphasizing workplace readiness skills.
For participants like Ramirez’s students at Project Remix Ventures, which serves justice-involved youth, this comprehensive approach has been transformative. The program incorporates behavioral health support and self-awareness exercises, helping students identify triggers and develop coping mechanisms essential for workplace success.
Unlike many vocational programs that measure success by certification rates, WorkTexas focuses on employment outcomes, with approximately 70% of graduates securing new jobs or better positions. The average starting wage is $19.10 per hour – well above minimum wage.
Most importantly, the program provides ongoing support, maintaining contact with graduates for five years after completion.
“We’re interested in what that looks like in terms of career contentment and creating sustainable lives for families and future generations,” says Feinberg.
This holistic approach has attracted partnerships with 148 local businesses that both guide curriculum development and hire program graduates.
For Houston residents seeking career pathways outside traditional college, WorkTexas offers not just technical training but the full range of skills needed for long-term employment success – addressing both workforce needs and community stability in one innovative program.
