In the landscape of workforce development, few initiatives have shown as much promise as WorkTexas, a comprehensive vocational training program co-founded by education veteran Mike Feinberg. Since its launch in 2020, the organization has been transforming lives through an innovative approach that combines hands-on skills training with wraparound support services.
As communities across America grapple with workforce shortages in skilled trades, WorkTexas has emerged as a blueprint for modern vocational education. The program’s success stems from its understanding that sustainable employment requires more than just technical proficiency—it demands a holistic approach that addresses the full spectrum of challenges facing today’s workers.
Mike Feinberg’s Vision for Trade Education
“We are employer-focused,” explains Feinberg, whose organization’s mission is “to help people get jobs, keep jobs, and advance careers.” This employer-centric approach has shaped WorkTexas’s program development from the ground up, with course offerings directly informed by local industry needs.
The program’s 11-week courses, requiring approximately 170 hours of participation, cover a diverse range of trades including welding, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, building maintenance, commercial truck driving, and warehouse management. Recent expansions have introduced masonry, clinical medical assistant training, and an upcoming barber program.
Breaking Down Barriers to Success
What sets WorkTexas apart is its recognition that technical skills alone don’t guarantee success. The organization has developed a comprehensive support system that addresses the multiple challenges facing their participants.
“A lot of people we train are one flat tire away from disaster,” Feinberg notes. “We can help everyone get a job based on their training; but you’re not going to do well in your job if you’re homeless or hungry, or your car stops working.”
To address these challenges, WorkTexas has:
- Established partnerships with community organizations providing food security, health services, and housing assistance
- Created childcare solutions through federal and local funding, supporting over 60 children of program participants
- Developed a navigation system for grants and scholarships that enables most participants to attend for free
Long-Term Support and Career Coaching
Perhaps most notably, WorkTexas maintains an active relationship with graduates long after they complete their training. The organization conducts regular six-month check-ins to track career progression and provide ongoing support.
“It is job coaching — which can be technical, or it can also turn into therapy at times,” explains Feinberg. This continued engagement allows WorkTexas to assist graduates with workplace challenges, from interpersonal conflicts to career advancement opportunities.
Co-Founder Yazmin Guerra emphasizes the intentional nature of their approach: “We make it very clear that we are going to be intentional about the training and the services we provide… We will follow up with them for up to five years if needed.”
Community Integration and Impact
The organization’s reach extends throughout Houston, with training locations at Gallery Furniture and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department’s Opportunity Center. The latter location provides a crucial service by allowing justice-system-involved youth to simultaneously earn their high school degree while learning a trade.
WorkTexas has created what Feinberg calls a “sandbox” where different community organizations can collaborate toward shared goals. “The people who are working on food, housing and physical health realize their work can only truly make a huge impact if people wind up having a sustainable career,” he explains. This symbiotic relationship between workforce development and social services creates a more robust support system for participants.
Looking to the Future
The revival of vocational education through programs like WorkTexas represents a significant shift in workforce development. As Feinberg notes, there’s been “a push to not have it come back as it used to be; but have it come back better.”
By combining practical skills training with comprehensive support services and long-term career coaching, WorkTexas is demonstrating how modern vocational education can create sustainable pathways to career success. Their approach acknowledges that true workforce development requires more than just technical training—it demands a holistic strategy that addresses the full spectrum of challenges facing workers in today’s economy.
Mike Feinberg‘s success in Houston could serve as a model for other communities looking to revitalize their approach to vocational training and workforce development, showing how intentional program design and comprehensive support services can create lasting impact for participants and their families.
