The Greater Houston Partnership continues to strengthen Houston’s position as the Energy Capital of the World. The economic vitality and growth of our region’s economy is inextricably tied to the energy industry. The energy industry and its workforce are changing rapidly with the transition to a more efficient and sustainable, low-carbon future. UpSkill Houston is focusing on strengthening the middle-skills talent pipeline, which is essential for  the success of the energy transition to a low-carbon future.

Efforts also include shifting towards skills-first hiring, which prioritizes specialized skills over traditional four-year degrees, ensuring that training and education programs are aligned with the specific needs of the energy transition. In addition, collaborations with partners such as Accenture aim to map key hydrogen and energy transition related careers and provide opportunities for residents of Houston's disadvantaged communities to participate in the evolving energy sector.

Over the past decade, UpSkill Houston has cultivated a distinguished, nationally recognized collaborative network comprising business, industry, education, and community leaders. This alliance has fostered robust relationships and fostered an environment ripe for innovation, aimed at cultivating a workforce primed for success in Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast region. To sustain the region’s economic growth and competitiveness, the Greater Houston Partnership has a concerted focus on talent driven economic development to support the talent needs of the region’s key industry sectors. Furthermore, , the imperative to address skills gaps has intensified as our region undergoes a profound shift from an industrial to a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy.