Collaboration will mean a stronger Texas

Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott established the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative. The Governor’s initiative brought together the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission to assess local economic activity, examine workforce challenges and opportunities and consider innovative approaches to meeting the state’s workforce goals.

Beginning in March, I joined with Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar, and Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes in regional workforce and education forums statewide. In those visits, we heard from education, business and community leaders on how each part of our state was tackling the job of preparing the Texas workforce of tomorrow.

From those visits, Gov. Abbott asked the three commissioners to make recommendations that can enhance the skills of the Texas workforce and advance economic expansion in every region of the state. The Governor also wanted those recommendations to strengthen K-12 and postsecondary education to ensure achievement of the goals of 60x30TX, the state’s new strategic plan for higher education.

The final report – and recommendations – is now available for viewing. I thank my fellow commissioners at the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for working with me to strengthen the future of our state. It’s through ongoing discussions and collaboration among public education, higher education and workforce development that will keep Texas an economic leader for many years to come.

The final Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative report is available at http://www.tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=51539611683.

Commissioner Mike Morath
November 10, 2016