Our work in this area is part of a larger, statewide effort to invest in the future of Texas’ workforce, and we’re encouraged by some of the progress that has been made in recent years. But there is still work to be done—and we need every North Texan speaking up for and voting in favor of career training and workforce readiness initiatives.

Read on to learn more about how Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature prioritized career-technical education and training, how United Way’s career training and workforce readiness initiatives are making a difference in North Texas, and Texas voters’ role in deciding one of the state’s investments in career and technical education programs on the November 4 ballot.

Prioritizing Technical Education and Workforce Readiness Programs

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and related workforce studies, by 2030, more than 60% of jobs in Texas will require at least some postsecondary education, such as certificates, associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees. This trend aligns with the state’s decade old 60x30TX initiative, which emphasizes preparing students for careers requiring education beyond high school.

Earlier this year, Gov. Abbott announced in his State of the State address that expanding career training would be an emergency item for the 89^th Regular Legislative Session to support workforce readiness and to meet the growing demands of the 21^st century workforce. The legislature passed several pieces of legislation during the regular session impacting college and career readiness, improving college affordability and creating more post-secondary pathways.

The state has invested more than $7 billion in career training and career-technical education programs. Some of these investments include House Bill 20 and House Bill 120 to expand career and technical education opportunities for students across Texas. HB 20 establishes the Applied Science Pathway Program, allowing 11^th and 12^th grade students to earn a high school diploma while completing a certificate program. HB 120 focuses on strengthening college, career and military readiness by expanding career-technical education programs and improving college and career advising. Additionally, the state’s $8.5 billion investment in public education under HB 2 includes $153 million to support career-technical education.

Increasing Living Wages for Workers in North Texas

To meet our goal of increasing living-wage jobs in North Texas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been laser focused on ensuring young adults are equipped with the tools and comprehensive training they need to earn a well-paying job and advance in their careers.

Workforce development initiatives like our Pathways to Work program sets up workers for success and engage employers to strengthen the workforce readiness pipeline. Through our Southern Dallas Thrive Initiative, we recently joined partners Arcosa, the PepsiCo Foundation and Dallas College to launch a community workforce training center at Dallas College’s RedBird location.

Investments in these programs and initiatives are working. According to Commit Partnership’s recently released 2025 Economic Mobility Report, the percent of young adults ages 25-34 living in Dallas County and earning a living wage has grown from 22% to 31% since 2012. Conversely, the number of young adults living in poverty has decreased from 16% to 11% since 2017.

Research supports that students who do not pursue post-secondary pathways through college or a workforce credential will face lower lifetime earnings and risk high unemployment, which impacts the North Texas regional economy. Our community must deliver sustained investment to support these post-secondary pathways and workforce readiness efforts.

Texas Voters to Consider the State’s Investment in Career and Technical Education

November 4 is election day, and our local ballots will include several important constitutional amendments that directly affect our region’s workforce.

At the top of the constitutional amendment ballot is Proposition 1, or Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 59, which would approve the state’s investment in career and technical education programs, like welding, plumbing or HVAC technology. Proposition 1 provides $850 million in funding to support the Texas State Technical College System, a system of two-year campuses where students can obtain technical and workforce training credentials to become electricians, plumbers, and construction workers. The amendment would create two new funds to support Texas technical colleges through educational capital and equipment purchases. Unlike Texas universities, the technical college system doesn’t have the power to collect local taxes. Instead, the money for these funds could come from several places, including money set aside by the legislature.

Click here to learn more about Proposition 1 and the other 16 propositions that voters will be considering on their November 4 ballot.

Make Your Voice Heard

Voting in every election is one of the easiest and most effective ways to advocate for improved access to education, income and health in North Texas—so be sure to make a plan to vote in the November 4 election. Click here to learn more about voting in North Texas.

Going forward, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas will continue working with the governor, the legislature and our partners to expand opportunities for comprehensive career training and workforce readiness supports. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and Policy in Brief newsletter, and join us as we advocate to ensure that all North Texans can thrive and achieve a living wage or beyond.