Statewide Strategy for Engaging Business Leaders in Policy Advocacy and Workforce Education
Dr. Martha Ellis, Senior Pathways Lead, Texas Success Center
Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Executive Director, Texas Success Center & Vice President, TACC
tacc.org
Data Source: Office of Governor Abbott, Economic Development & Tourism
tacc.org
“Many of the more than 4 million jobs the state expects to add in the next 15 years will require a bachelor’s degree or more. But there will also be continued need for what some call “middle-tier” workers—those with more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.”
Report: Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, 2023
Incoherent student success initiatives in policy and practice
Inequitable access to successful practices
Initiative fatigue
Collective amnesia/Lack of sustained improvements
Focus: Access & Success
Texas Pathways Round 1
Not an initiative, but whole-college
change and systemic improvements
Provides coherence around a
single statewide strategy
Framework for all colleges’ reform efforts
Begin with students’ end goal of a good career
2017-2019
Texas Pathways Round 2
Strategy continues to evolve and expand as colleges continue to improve
Continues to provide a single framework for all colleges; reform efforts
Continues to improve student success
2020-2022
Interim & Session
Workforce & Education Partnership Regional Mtgs
Comm. College Finance Commission
Broad Unified Support
All participating colleges kickoff Talent Strong Texas Pathways
Passage of HB 8!
2022-23
Talent Strong Texas Pathways
Rounds 3 & 4
Built on past success to improve completion and to increase employer engagement
Framework for holistic support Success - Belonging – Wellness
Focus: Access, Success &
Post-Completion Success
2023-2027
HB 8 Implementation
Part 1: Understanding and Implementing Policy
Part 2: Scaling Student Success Practices
2023-24
2004-2016
COVID & Unemployment
TACC Business Advisory Committee
TRUE
Misaligned and missing data
2020-21
tacc.org
Performance Tier
Outcomes
Weights
Performance Tier Funding
2019 Scale of Adoption Assessment
Number of Colleges at Each Level of Adoption (N=46)
Texas community colleges are meeting or exceeding collective goals in 3 of 19 measures
2023 Scale of Adoption Assessment
Number of Colleges at Each Level of Adoption (N=38)
Texas community colleges are meeting or exceeding collective goals in 22 of 23 measures
Early Momentum Metrics�
Early Momentum Metric | 2015% | 2020% | Percentage Point Difference �2015–2021 | 2021% | Percentage Point Difference �2020–2021 | Percentage �Point �Difference �2015–2021 |
Completed Math in Year 1 | 29% | 38% | +9% | 35% | -3% | +6% |
Completed Reading in Year 1 | 54% | 58% | +4% | 54% | -4% | 0% |
Completed Writing in Year 1 | 46% | 53% | +7% | 50% | -3% | +4% |
Completed All Subjects in Year 1 | 20% | 28% | +8% | 25% | -3% | +5% |
Earned 6+ Credits in Term 1 | 58% | 65% | +7% | 62% | -3% | +4% |
Earned 15+ Credits in Year 1 | 44% | 50% | +6% | 47% | -3% | +3% |
Earned 30+ Credits in Year 1 | 8% | 11% | +3% | 9% | -2% | +1% |
Persisted from Term 1 to 2 | 76% | 72% | -4% | 74% | +2% | -2% |
Note. KPIs measure progress for first-time-in-college, degree-seeking students in the fall cohort of the indicated year. N = 50 community college districts
Top Occupations: Regional Labor Market Insights Report
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Insurance Appraisers and Auto Damage
Dental Hygienists
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
NORTH
WEST
SOUTHEAST
SOUTH
EAST
CENTRAL
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial
Physical Therapist Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Dental Hygienists
Industrial Engineering
Cardiovascular Tech.
Dental Assistants
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Calibration Tech and Engineering Tech, Except Drafters
Computer Network Support Specialists
Web Developers, Digital Interface Designers
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Occupational Therapy Assistants
LPNs and LVNs
Computer Network Support Specialists
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Radiologic Tech
Health Information Tech, Medical Registrars, Surgical Asst, Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Tech
Respiratory Therapists
https://tacc.org/tsc/current-research. See Labor Market Insights: Phase 2
Computer User Support Specialists
Industrial Engineering
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers
Computer Network Support Specialists
LPNs and LVNs
THE CENTER SUPPORTS COLEGES WITH LABOR MARKET DATA�Example -Key Occupation: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
8,239
8,900
9,383
9,600
9,400
9,200
9,000
8,800
8,600
8,400
8,200
8,000
7,800
7,600
20 21 Jobs
20 26 Jobs
2031 Jobs
+8%
Region: North Texas
Annual Earnings
Job Growth Projections
Unique Job Postings: 554
Automation Risk
Common Qualifications
Top Employers
Top Industry Sectors
$38,665
$62,520
$55,661
$58,887
$10,000
$0
$30,000
$20,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$70,000
Entry-Level
Mid-Leve l
20 20 Reported Earnings
20 20 Advertised Earnings
101.2
0
100
200
15%
33%
27%
27%
10%
Top Skills Gaps
0% 10% 20%
30%
40%
50%
Aircraft Maintenance
Federal Aviation Administration
Mechanics
Federal Aviation Regulations
Av ionics
% of Job Postings w/ Skill
% of Profiles w/ Skill
Average
Source: Lightcast, formerly Emsi Burning Glass, 2022
(5-year growth)
+13.9%
(10-year growth)
https://tacc.org/tsc/current-research. See Labor Market Insights: Phase 2
Key Occupation: Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians
Region: North Texas
Bus & Truck Mechanics, & Diesel Engine Specialists
$46,602
(7,406 workers)
Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics
$40,273
(18,771 workers)
Flight Attendants
$59,035
(7,065 workers)
−Aircraft Maintenance
−Avionics
−Federal Aviation
Regulations
−Troubleshooting
−Schematic Diagrams
+$15,918
+$22,247
+$3,485
Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians
$62,520
(314 job posts)
+$52,287
+$10,198
Aerospace Engineers
$114,807
(773 job posts)*
Emergency Management Directors $72,718 (277 job posts)*
−Systems Engineering
−Aerospace Engineering
−Python
−Simulation
−Systems Integration
−Project Management
−Budgeting
−Public Health &
Safety
−Personnel Management
−Problem Solving
+$34,383
Marine Engineers & Naval Architects
$96,903
(10 job posts)*
−AutoCAD
−Project Management
−System Design
Starter Occupation
Skills to Acquire
Skills to Acquire
Next-step Occupation
Salary Boost for Next Occupation
Key Occupation
Salary Boost for Next Occupation
*Occupation typically requires a bachelor’s degree or higher.
https://tacc.org/tsc/current-research. See Labor Market Insights: Phase 2
Source: Lightcast, 2022
TRUE Pathways In Practice- Logistics Technician
Education Workforce Committee
Nursing Micro-Pathway
Alamo Colleges
Salary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ariana
Store Cashier $10 hour
Alamo Colleges
Nursing Micro-Pathway
Ariana
A skilled nurse reaching her goals
Employer Engagement Question
1.Does your college have business and industry advisory committees for your programs?
2. Does your college engage B/I beyond traditional advisory committees?
Texas Business Advisory Council
Texas Business & Education
Leaders’ Recommended Actions
Build career pathways & student awareness
Expand short-term credentials of value
Improve college and career/work readiness
Strengthen education and business partnerships
Improve college access, college completion, and
post completion outcomes
https://tacc.org/tsc/spotlights
Talent Strong Texas Pathways�Statewide Commitment�
West | South | Central | Southeast | East | North |
Amarillo | Alamo | Austin | Alvin | Angelina | Cisco |
Clarendon | Coastal Bend | Blinn | Brazosport | Kilgore | Dallas |
El Paso | Del Mar | Central Texas | College of the Mainland | Northeast Texas | Grayson |
Frank Phillips | Laredo | Hill | Galveston | Panola | North Central |
Howard | South Texas | McLennan | Houston | Paris | Ranger |
Midland | Southwest Texas | Temple | Lee | Texarkana | Tarrant |
Odessa | Texas Southmost | | San Jacinto | Trinity Valley | Weatherford |
Western Texas | Victoria | | Wharton County | Tyler | Vernon |
Workforce and Education Partnerships
A multi-sector approach to high-demand fields with partners creating regional demonstration hubs serving as best practice models
Questions?