Walmart awarded a $250,000 grant to the Greater Houston Partnership to support regional efforts that help Houstonians build skills and move into higher-quality careers.
Houston was selected because of the strong workforce leadership and cross-sector collaboration already underway across the region. The Houston Economic Mobility Coalition is one example of that work. Launched earlier this year, the coalition brings together leaders from business, philanthropy and community organizations to identify a more coordinated workforce strategy for the Houston region.
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The grant will support a focused planning effort to better connect Houston’s existing workforce assets, including education and training programs, career navigation, supportive services, employers, labor market data and technology. The goal is not to create another stand-alone program, but to make the region’s workforce system easier to navigate and more responsive to changing employer needs.
“Houston is an ideal market for this grant: our diverse and growing population, our education and training programs, and our growing economy and workforce bring all of the necessary components,” said Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean. “This regional grant will help us better connect and integrate those components to create opportunity.”
Regional partnerships will drive the work
United Way of Greater Houston, Houston City College and San Jacinto College will serve as key partners. Employers, community organizations and residents will also help identify priority career pathways, barriers workers face and opportunities to improve hiring and advancement.
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“Together with Walmart, Greater Houston Partnership, and other community partners, we look forward to taking meaningful steps forward to help our neighbors land on their feet—and stay there,” said Amanda McMillian, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston.
Building stronger career pathways
The work will focus on pathways that combine employer demand, training capacity and opportunities for workers to earn life-sustaining wages and advance over time.
It will also build on existing regional initiatives, including the Partnership’s Ready Set Next, a career connectivity platform powered by Pathful. Ready Set Next is designed to help users understand career options, credentials, skills and next steps, while complementary services connect residents to coaching and support.
“Workers and employers alike are navigating a period of rapid change, and we believe this moment calls for action,” said Julie Gehrki, SVP Philanthropy, Walmart and President, Walmart Foundation. “That’s why we’re proud to support local efforts in Houston that can help connect people to better jobs and long-term advancement.”
Explore the Partnership’s workforce development initiatives.
