Talent & Economic Mobility
Creating opportunity for people. Building strength for employers.
Our Ambition & Areas of Focus
The Greater Houston Partnership is working to make Houston a global leader in talent development and economic mobility, creating opportunities for people while strengthening our workforce and building an environment where employers can grow and thrive. We are aligning action across every stage of the talent pipeline, from career exploration and preparation to hiring and ongoing skills development. This work is advanced through our Talent & Economic Mobility initiative, a core component of the Houston Next: Advancing Opportunity strategic plan.
Collective tables
We bring together employers, educators, and community partners through UpSkill Houston and Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity. These efforts align long-term workforce strategies and expand access to career pathways that connect residents to the economic mainstream.
Connectivity
We are launching a new platform to better match talent supply with employer demand. Early pilots in health care and skilled trades are connecting residents to high-need jobs, educators to stronger placement outcomes, and employers to qualified candidates.
Skills-based practices
We are developing a Houston guide to help employers adopt proven skills-based hiring strategies. By reducing barriers and rethinking requirements, employers can fill critical roles while more residents gain access to family-sustaining careers.
Work-based learning
We are identifying demand for internships, apprenticeships, and clinical placements, and working with partners to expand these opportunities. This ensures residents gain the skills employers need while businesses build stronger talent pipelines.
Two Complementary Initiatives. One Shared Mission.
At the heart of this effort are two complementary initiatives—UpSkill Houston and Inclusive Leadership & Opportunity—that work in tandem to develop talent from entry to executive. Together, they support a workforce that not only uplifts individuals but also meets the current and future needs of Houston’s most important industries.
Getting people into careers and pathways toward mobility
UpSkill Houston connects employers, educators, and nonprofit partners to align talent supply with business demand in high-growth, high-wage sectors. Guided by leaders across industries, the initiative ensures training and career pathways match real workforce needs, helping individuals earn family-sustaining incomes while providing employers with the skilled talent they require.
Advancing inclusive talent and leadership strategies
Inclusive Leadership & Opportunity (formerly One Houston Together) engages more than 120 companies, institutions, and nonprofits to strengthen internal talent development and expand access to opportunity. By focusing on advancement pathways, people and culture, and organizational vision, the initiative equips employers to unlock the full potential of their people while driving broader economic opportunity across the region.
Connectivity Platform
The Connectivity Platform is a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered career navigation and workforce development system built for the greater Houston region.
Our Broader Efforts
The Partnership’s work in talent and mobility is reinforced by ongoing efforts to:
- Drive economic development by attracting leading employers and investments that expand opportunity and strengthen Houston’s workforce.
- Advance policy priorities in education and immigration that shape workforce development at the state and federal levels.
- Host leadership programs like HYPE and Women on the Rise to build skills, mentorship, and networks for rising talent.
- Integrate talent and mobility themes into member programs and major events, equipping employers with the latest data and insights.
Why It Matters
Together, these efforts are building a coordinated ecosystem that connects people to opportunity, equips employers with the talent they need, and drives long-term mobility. By investing in both people and business, we ensure more Houstonians share in our region’s growth and make Houston a top destination for employers worldwide.