As Houston continues to lead the energy transition, major corporations are making significant investments to ensure the region's workforce is equipped with the skills of tomorrow. Key industry players ExxonMobil and Bechtel have recently announced initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to preparing and empowering the next generation of energy professionals. ExxonMobil's Commitment to STEM Education The ExxonMobil Foundation recently donated $17 million to Khan Academy for the Open Doors Project. The initiative will allow Khan Academy to offer free Texas standards-aligned math and science courses for 3rd – 12th graders and teacher guides to facilitate the new courses.  The collaboration with Khan Academy will enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning opportunities, ensuring students have the foundational knowledge and skills required to pursue careers in the energy industry and beyond.  Bechtel's Construction Career Pathways Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, construction, and project management, is also making significant strides in workforce development. The company recently announced it offered construction careers to 15 graduating seniors from the pipefitter and welding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Nederland High School and Port Arthur Memorial High School. The students received hands-on experience and training through the program, allowing them to successfully move into careers at the Port Arthur Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Phase 1 project site.  “We are excited to offer jobs to these students who have gained the experience needed to complete their curriculum and start their path to becoming skilled craft professionals,” said Kane McIntosh, Port Arthur LNG Project Manager at Bechtel. “Sempra Infrastructure and Bechtel are committed to supporting Port Arthur and Southeast Texas, which includes training the next generation of workers who will deliver large-scale projects like Port Arthur LNG Phase 1.” Shaping the Future of Energy The investments by ExxonMobil and Bechtel are crucial for ensuring Houston remains at the forefront of the global energy industry. By focusing on education and career development, these companies are fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the energy sector while addressing the current and future workforce needs. Learn more about the region's energy industry and workforce development programs.  

The Greater Houston Partnership was recognized for its workforce development work, winning Business Facilities' 2024 Economic Development Organization award in the large economic development organization category.  The economic development publication’s awards recognize economic development organizations “growing their communities” and recognizes “initiatives delivering results toward capital investment, job creation, quality of life and more.” Six other economic development organizations were recognized for their initiatives in the same category.  UpSkill Houston, set to celebrate its 10-year anniversary this fall, mobilizes the collective action of more than 200 critical business, education and community leaders developing the pipeline of skilled workers employers need and creating better pathways to opportunity for all Houstonians. As part of its mission, UpSkill Houston bolsters talent-driven economic development efforts across the Houston region in focus areas like life sciences, energy, as well as aerospace and aviation.  “We are excited about the recognition for the framework we’ve developed and we look forward to bringing our goals to fruition for the people of Houston,” said Peter Beard, SVP of Regional Workforce Development at the Greater Houston Partnership. “The future is very bright for all who contribute to our region’s dynamic economy.”  Educational partnerships have flourished in the Houston region in recent years, with examples like San Jacinto College’s EDGE Center, which partners with the Houston Spaceport to train professionals for roles in innovative space enterprises like Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace. In 2023, the 105,572 square-foot Intuitive Machines Lunar Production and Operations Facility opened at the Houston Spaceport, ensuring direct access for these trainees to groundbreaking innovation at the forefront of the private space sector.  The strides made to bolster workforce development have already earned Houston further opportunities, with the Department of Energy taking notice. Houston’s selection as a clean hydrogen hub was spurred by collective investment in the workforce infrastructure from UpSkill Houston, the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), the Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) and Accenture. The effort aimed at mapping the anticipated 20,000 future local hydrogen careers and providing opportunity for energy transition inclusion and social mobility to disadvantaged communities.  UpSkill Houston has established itself as a game changer for regional economic development, producing workforce solutions in some of the most critical sectors of tomorrow. This impact will be seen as Houston continues to elevate its stature on the world stage as a destination for opportunity and prosperity for all.  Learn more about the UpSkill Houston workforce development initiative.