May 4, 2016 3:58 PM

Plenty of ideas, but little money, to improve workforce diplomas in Texas

Among states that have added workforce diplomas in recent years, Texas is probably the most hands off when it comes to state assistance

Texas House lawmakers spent plenty of time talking about the expansion of career-and-technical education options during a marathon hearing, but far less time discussing what role the state should play in moving Texas forward on implementing House Bill 5.

Among states that have added workforce diplomas in recent years, Texas is probably the most hands off when it comes to state assistance. While a tri-agency workforce initiative does exist, little has been done in a number of key areas cited by as concerns by various stakeholders: incentive or incentives to scale up successful workforce projects; the ability to connect education and workforce data; or even the ability for rural school districts to join together to share career-based programs.

The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched SA Works just over a year ago, an employer-led collaborative to provide career expos, job shadow opportunities, apprenticeship opportunities and teacher externships. Phyllis Camacho, vice president of workforce development at the chamber, said funding to expand programs to a broader base of students and employers was the current issue.

By Kimberly Reeves