HOUSTON, Feb. 20, 2025 - The Kinder Institute's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), led by Director Erin Baumgartner, is tackling Houston's workforce challenges head-on. Baumgartner presented at Rice University's Anderson Clarke Center, emphasizing the need for schools and industries to collaborate in preparing the city's future workforce. She highlighted HERC's 13-year history of partnering with Houston-area school districts on research projects, noting that all nine districts recently prioritized workforce readiness as a key concern.
A major focus of Baumgartner's presentation was the urgent need to connect education with real job opportunities that offer a living wage. With 20% of Harris County children living in poverty and nearly half of all families struggling to make ends meet, she stressed the importance of ensuring high school graduates are prepared for financially secure careers. This means not just looking at the number of jobs available, but also their quality and long-term viability. Baumgartner defined a "stable wage" as one that covers basic living expenses and allows for savings, setting a minimum goal for graduates to save at least one month's worth of expenses within their first year of employment.
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To help bridge the gap between education and employment, Baumgartner unveiled HERC's new interactive online tool: the Workforce Demand Dashboard. Designed for teachers, parents, students, and community members, this dashboard illuminates the connection between workforce needs and educational pathways. It provides insights into in-demand jobs in fields like healthcare, IT, and the skilled trades, highlighting the required education, training, and industry certifications.
The dashboard is one of the things that we hope makes the connection that's missing right now. There are a lot of resources out there that tell us about workforce demand and salaries, but the missing piece that we've heard from so many people is around how that connects industry-based certifications and the pathways that exist in the state of Texas, because that's connected to accountability in school districts.
- Erin Baumgartner
Baumgartner stressed the importance of aligning school programs with the job market, enabling educators to better prepare students for successful careers that offer both financial security and a sense of purpose, even if they don't require a four-year degree. The discussion also revealed a shared concern about the low wages prevalent in industries like hospitality and retail, reinforcing the need to guide students towards higher-paying, in-demand careers.
The presentation sparked a lively exchange, with attendees offering valuable feedback on the dashboard and sharing insights on how to best support students. Suggestions included emphasizing work etiquette, providing opportunities for students to earn industry certifications, and ensuring that graduating seniors are truly prepared to transition into fulfilling careers.
Baumgartner's presentation underscored the power of collaboration in building a strong workforce for Houston's dynamic economy. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors and fostering informed decision-making, HERC is helping to shape a brighter future for Houston's students and community.
