Navigating the Changing Nature of Work
What is UpSkill Houston?
A place where you can learn about the many well-paid, rewarding careers that require less than a four-year college degree—and the steps to achieving them.
Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or are looking for a change, choosing a career can be intimidating. It's a big decision that depends on many factors. The process begins with self-evaluation—considering your needs, goals, personality, and interests.
The good news is that there are many paths to good-paying careers that offer stability, opportunities for growth, and a great quality of life—careers with prominent Houston-area companies. And, success does not require a four-year college degree.
Throughout Houston, thousands of openings exist in seven industries experiencing steady expansion and widely considered drivers of the regional economy. Many of these employers offer work-based learning through apprenticeship programs. Others are looking for candidates with two-year technical degrees and often will pay for required courses. These careers are lucrative, in-demand, and provide a great quality of life, after only two years or less of education or training.
Through UpSkill Houston, you can learn more about these careers, their average annual earnings, and their educational or training requirements. Plus, you can trace the pathways to these opportunities from high school, community college, or an existing job.
An informed decision about post-secondary education or training can lead to a better career path, higher wages, and greater personal and professional satisfaction. So, check out our website and the resources it offers. Talk to your teachers, counselors, professors, and friends. Then make your move!
With the right skills and education, your opportunities are limitless.
What Are You Up For?
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Healthcare
HEALTHCARE
Houston is home to the largest medical complex in the world, which is one of the driving forces of the city’s economy.
Visit Sector PageConstruction
CONSTRUCTION
Annual new construction spending in Houston is expected to climb to $14 billion by 2019 — and 88% of Texas contractors have trouble filling open jobs.
Visit Sector PagePort and Maritime
PORT AND MARITIME
Over the next five years, new Port & Maritime jobs are expected to increase nearly 25% - and thousands more will come open due to retirements.
Visit Sector PageUtilities
UTILITIES
50% of all employment opportunities in the utilities sector do not require a four-year degree.
Visit Sector PageOil and Gas
OIL AND GAS
Houston is a world capital of the oil & gas industry with over 5,000 energy firms doing business in the region.
Visit Sector PageManufacturing
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Houston is the top manufacturing city in the nation — with over 10,000 manufacturers that employ more than 250,000 workers.
Visit Sector PagePetrochemical
PETROCHEMICAL
With more than 250,000 workers and nearly $20 billion in projects under construction, Houston is one of the world’s leading petrochemical manufacturing centers.
Visit Sector Page
Select an Industry
FEATURED RESOURCES
The Value of Collaboration
Members of UpSkill Houston's executive committee discuss the value of collaborating with entities across industry and economic sector lines, as well as with traditional competitors, and how this collaboration has driven real change within their organizations and industries.
UpSkill Works Forum: Upgrading Career Prospects for Houston's Middle-Skill Workforce
Marcela Escobari, senior fellow with the Brookings Institution's Global Economy and Development Program and Workforce of the Future initiative, and Program Project Manager and Research Analyst Ian Seyal, discuss their initiative's work around workforce mobility.
Recorded July 29, 2020.
UpSkill Works Forum: Upskilling, Reskilling & New TWC Workforce Funding
TWC Workforce Development Division Director Courtney Arbour and TWC Employer Initiatives Interim Director Dale A. Robertson discuss funding available for skills development training programs and for individuals who want to enhance their skills.
Recorded on July 9, 2020.
UpSkill Works Forum: Economic Insights & Workforce Challenges Revisited
Gulf Coast Workforce Board Principal Economist Parker Harvey returns as an UpSkill Works Forum guest to share insights into the most recent labor market data for the Greater Houston region. UpSkill Houston's Peter Beard hosts the conversation.
Recorded on June 25, 2020.
UpSkill Works Forum Series: Building Virtual & Micro-Internships
UpSkill Houston's Peter Beard hosts an UpSkill Works Forum conversation around remote and micro-internships. Guests include Katherine Taylor, executive director of Genesys Works Houston, and Jeffrey Moss, founder and CEO of Parker Dewey, LLC.
Recorded on May 28, 2020.
UpSkill Works Forum Series: Understanding Skills & the Changing Nature of Work
UpSkill Houston's Peter Beard hosts an UpSkill Works Forum conversation around the skills that drive success. Guests include Greg Hambrick, co-founder and CEO of Fast Forward Works; Dr. Fred Oswald, professor and director of graduate studies of Rice University School of Social Sciences; and Mandy Williams, managing partner, aka "Black," of RED+BLACK.
Recorded on May 6, 2020.
UpSkill Works Forum Series: Insights Into Current & Future Workforce Challenges
UpSkill Houston's Peter Beard and Gulf Coast Workforce Board Principal Economist Parker Harvey discuss the changing labor market due to COVID-19 along with current and future workforce challenges. The conversation marked the beginning of UpSkill Houston's UpSkill Works Forum Series.
Recorded on April 30, 2020.
Middle Skills Matter to Greater Houston
"Middle Skills Matter to Greater Houston" is a long-term strategic document released in April 2020 that seeks to identify high-priority occupations - over the next two to five years - that can position the Greater Houston region to be competitive in the 21st century and create increased economic opportunity and mobility for Houstonians.
Building Momentum: Full Report
A comprehensive look at the work and results of UpSkill Houston.
Addressing Houston’s Middle Skills Jobs Challenge
A plan by the Greater Houston Partnership Regional Workforce Development Taskforce.
Preparing to Skill Up
A report on addressing the skills mismatch to meet employer demand in Houston’s high-growth industries by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Building the Talent Pipeline
An implementation guide on how key practices can inform employer action in organizing and managing the talent pipeline by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Strada Education Network.
What Are You Up For?
There are many paths to a successful career; success does not require a four-year degree! A rewarding career in one of Houston's thriving industries could be yours in two years or less.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Checkout this list of skills that are essential to your success in the workplace, as well as a set of characteristics that describe effective use of those skills.
Prepare For Your Career
Explore the many pathways to a successful career and understand the financial requirements for each.
Career Roadmap: An Educator's Tool to Guiding Students
A list of key educational benchmarks from kindergarten to 12th grade as it relates to career awareness, exploration, planning, and readiness.
Career Roadmap: A Student's Guide to Career Readiness
A list of key educational benchmarks from 6th to 12th grades as it relates to career awareness, exploration, planning, and readiness.
Utilities Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s utilities sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Port and Maritime Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s port and maritime sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Petrochem Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s petrochem sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Oil and Gas Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s oil and gas sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Healthcare Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s healthcare sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Construction Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s construction sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
Advanced Manufacturing Sector Overview
Think you might be interested in a career in Houston’s advanced manufacturing sector? Check out this overview that includes hot facts, what it takes to be successful, and a list of high-demand careers!
The Texas OnCourse Curriculum Guide
Simple and easy to use lesson plans aligned to TEKS for college and career readiness and investigating careers.
The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2017–2018
Do you need money to pursue your educational goals post-high school? This publication provides basic information on federal student aid to help you pay for college or career school.
Federal Student Aid at a Glance
Fact sheet informing students what federal student aid is, who is eligible, and how to apply, as well as providing an overview of the aid programs.
Middle Galaxy
Explore career possibilities and what sorts of knowledge and skills you will need, all by playing a game! Bonus? Learn information on what high school "endorsement" you need along the way.
CareerOneStop
This Occupational Research tool allows you to use a keyword or menu search to find an occupation. Find detailed information on wages, employment trends, skills needed and training opportunities.
Checklists for Academic and Financial Preparation
Are you a student? A parent? An adult thinking about going back to school? Want to know how to prepare?
Budgeting
Not sure how to handle your finances and student aid (grants, scholarships, loans, work-study) while you’re in school? Learn how budgeting can help you manage your finances so you can complete your program of study and earn your certificate or degree.
Types of Financial Aid
If you need help paying for school, you’re not alone. Grants, work-study, and loans help make college affordable.
211 Helpline
Need Help? Dial 2-1-1. A free helpline operated by United Way of Greater Houston 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in many languages. Whether you need help finding child care, food stamps, care for an aging parent or a haven from domestic violence, 2-1-1 is the number to call when you don't know who to call. United Way’s trained HELPLINE specialists are good listeners, blending understanding and expertise to provide information and referrals drawn from a comprehensive database of social services.
Southwest Pipe Trades Association
Discover career opportunities in the mechanical trades of plumbing, pipe fitting, welding and HVAC service. Interested candidates will be linked to the various local apprentice training programs in Houston. What’s best: these programs are all "earn while you learn" opportunities.
PetrochemWorks
Think you have what it takes to work in Petrochem? Visit PetrochemWorks and get matched with high paying & rewarding careers in the growing Petrochemical industry.
NextOp
Are you a veteran? When you’re ready for a new opportunity, we’ve got your 6. Launch your civilian career with one of Houston’s top companies—we’ll help you find the right place for your skills and experience, and provide you with a mentor to make the transition easier.
Combined Arms
Are you a veteran? Combined Arms coordinates more than 140 unique resources and scores of non-profit organizations and government agencies. Through their system, veterans and service members can quickly get connected to the services that they need to succeed and grow in Houston. Create a profile today!
Career Self-Assessment Tools
Understanding yourself is critical when choosing or changing your career. Don’t worry: You don’t need to go on some soul-searching walkabout to understand your strengths, interests, emotional intelligence, values, personality traits, and motivations more fully. There are free online self-assessment tools you can use instead.
Map My Grad
Starting high school and picking classes can be overwhelming and confusing. Right?! But don't freak out! MapMyGrad is here to help you follow what you love, set your path, and get you ready to graduate in a few easy steps. Learn more about the Texas Grad Plan and how it works on their individual high school campus.