Texas Tri-Agency Workforce publishes report for Abbott on education

The Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative released a new report to Gov. Abbott (R-TX) on Wednesday morning.  

Consisting of three entities, the Tri-Agency Workforce includes the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The goal for the Tri-Agency Workforce is to strengthen the Texas workforce, and ensure those workforces are prepared for the future of their respective industries. 

The Tri-Agency Workforce was developed in response to the request of Gov. Abbott, who in a Feb. announcement said ““It is imperative that we build upon the resources of House Bill 3 and accompanying legislation to ensure today's students and tomorrow's workforce are prepared to meet Texas' long-term workforce needs in a comprehensive and efficient manner.” 

The report submitted to Abbott was titled “Linking Education and Workforce: Spurring Economic Growth Across Texas.” In it, the research focused on three primary areas- flexible education pathways for students to ensure credentials and higher paying jobs, providing the necessary resources and support systems for students to succeed in leaerning and entering the workforce, and investing in infrastructure to ensure better collaboration between agencies to record student success.  

THECB Commissioner Harrison Keller said “The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, along with our Tri-Agency partners, is committed to advancing meaningful, effective strategies to address the state’s education and workforce needs.” He also added that “jobs increasingly follow skills, and by achieving the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative’s priorities, we will help future generations of Texans achieve academic and workforce success.” 

TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel expressed that their work is not quite done- he said “Maintaining a strong, skilled and growing Texas workforce requires planning and commitment. This report is not the final product, but the continuation of sustained statewide collaborations.” The Tri-Agency Workforce maintains a website, where those interested learning more about and track the progress of Initiative’s priorities.