Growing Education to Workforce Pathways in Texas
Texas faces critical workforce shortages, with over half of employers struggling to find skilled talent. By 2036, more than 70% of Texas jobs will require education beyond high school—yet currently only one in three graduates earns a credential within six years. Join us for a closer look at the challenges and opportunities in the Texas labor market, and to see how education-to-workforce pathways — powered by employers — are helping to ensure Texans can access good jobs that support their families and drive our state’s economy.
Peter Beard works to advance the workforce mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, with a focus on growing the portfolio and increasing its visibility and influence nationally. He provides leadership over a portfolio of workforce development projects and initiatives, and supports education and workforce policy with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the America Works initiative. Before joining the Foundation, Beard was senior vice president of Regional Workforce Development at the Greater Houston Partnership where he led the Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative—a nationally recognized employer-led collaborative of business, industry, education, and community leaders focused on developing a work-ready workforce.