Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Association of Business (TAB) today praised BlackRock’s $30 million investment in Texas through its Future Builders initiative, a major effort aimed at expanding skilled trades education and strengthening workforce pipelines for high-demand industries. The initiative is expected to provide electrical career training opportunities for more than 12,000 Texans.
TAB joined Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, and BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus for the announcement. The event highlighted the importance of connecting workforce training programs with employer needs while accelerating pathways into critical industries across the state.
“Texas’ continued economic momentum depends on developing a workforce that can meet growing industry demands,” said TAB Interim President and CEO Megan Mauro. “BlackRock’s partnership with TSTC represents a meaningful investment in both people and communities by creating stronger career pathways that are aligned with employer needs. It reflects the kind of collaboration that helps keep Texas competitive and creates long-term opportunities for Texans statewide.”
During the event, TAB also underscored the need for policy reforms that remove barriers to workforce entry and modernize credentialing processes for skilled trades professions.
Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) proposed new rules that would modernize the path to becoming a Journeyman Electrician. The proposal would allow intensive classroom instruction to count toward the existing 8,000-hour on-the-job training requirement and would enable candidates to take licensure exams earlier in the certification process. TAB is submitting comments in support of the proposal ahead of the May 11 public comment deadline.
“Updating Texas’ licensure framework is a practical way to expand workforce participation while maintaining high professional standards,” Mauro said. “TAB has long supported policies that create more efficient pathways into critical trades careers.”
TAB noted that aligning investments like Future Builders with updated licensing policies can help reduce labor shortages, accelerate project timelines, and improve cost stability across industries such as construction, energy, and digital infrastructure.
“Workforce development is foundational to Texas’ economic success,” Mauro added. “BlackRock’s leadership through the Future Builders initiative complements Texas’ commitment to ensuring businesses have access to the skilled talent needed to support long-term growth.”
The Texas Association of Business said it will continue advocating for policies and partnerships that expand workforce participation, strengthen employer talent pipelines, and reinforce Texas’ position as the nation’s leading destination for business investment and job creation.
