Leveraging on past successes, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board  are partnering to support the Energy industry. The mission of this committee is to engage industry, education, economic development, associations and community partners in collaboration to meet current and future workforce needs.   A planning committee has convened to develop a multi-year strategic plan and identify high impact programs like GEOFORCE, which is helping to build the future pipeline of geoscientists for the industry.   To learn more about this partnership, contact:

Nancy Tootle
Energy Industry Liaison
nancy.tootle@wrksolutions.com
(713) 993-2430

The overall goal of this pilot program is to fill the training pipeline with potential workers and increase training capacity in occupations critical to high-demand industries. The project will raise awareness and recruit new participants into the training program and recruit incumbent workers into skills upgrade, technical certificate and two-year degree programs. The project will include updating informational materials on the industries, providing real-time awareness opportunities to teachers and students, coordinating apprenticeships and internships for new industry workers and action learning for incumbent workers.  The colleges will work with Workforce Solutions to recruit and coordinate the placement of the emerging workforce and provide follow up assessment.  As this pilot progresses, updates will be provided on this web-page.

The Engineers to Energy (EtoE) for short is a group of high level, enthusiastic (and passionate) leaders who are focused on addressing the shortage of engineers in the industry.   This group companies came together to look for ways to make a difference with the most important challenge facing it.  The CEO/Presidents and professionals held a large joint workshop with area associations, supporting organizations, economic development, the public workforce system and sponsoring companies in 2008. 

During this workshop, companies shared best practices for integrating new hires, highlighted the SPE Young Professionals Organization (www.spegcs.org), and participated in a spirited debate about the potential solutions to address the challenge.  As this group continues to build its infrastructure, we will include periodic updates and highlights of their progress.  If you have an interest in learning more, please contact Chairman Bruce Crager at brucecrager@yahoo.com.  Charter Highlights .

The purpose of the Gulf Coast Petrochemical Information Network is to share resources and implement cohesive workforce and economic development strategies and solutions across the Texas Gulf Coast.  This consortium was developed by four economic development organizations, four community colleges and the East Harris County Manufacturers Association.  The initial products, programs and services supported by the members for 2007 and 2008 are as follows:  1) Fast Track Construction Training Kit; 2) Fast Track Process Technician Training Program; 3) Youth to Energy Summer Camp; 4) Industry Workforce Demand and Emerging Skills Survey; and 5) Corporate University. Click here for more information.