HOUSTON (Dec. 16, 2024) — The Greater Houston Partnership has announced Rafael “Rafa” Alvarez as the organization’s new Senior Vice President of Regional Workforce Development, leading the nationally acclaimed UpSkill Houston initiative. Alvarez, a Forbes-recognized social entrepreneur and founder of Genesys Works, brings a proven track record in workforce development and a deep commitment to creating opportunities that bridge skills training and industry. “Throughout my career, I have been inspired by how the right career opportunities can transform lives and change trajectories. With UpSkill Houston’s strong foundation and opportunity to leverage critical advancements like Texas House Bill 8, we are at a pivotal moment to connect workforce and education at scale,” Alvarez said. “By bridging the gap between available jobs and untapped talent, we can ensure Houston's businesses and residents thrive together for generations to come.” Launched in 2014, UpSkill Houston has set a national benchmark by aligning workforce training with industry needs, linking employers, educators and over 200,000 students and workers. Alvarez is positioned to lead its next chapter by leveraging his extensive expertise.  As the founder of Genesys Works, Alvarez transformed the lives of thousands of students from underserved communities by creating pathways to career success through internships and corporate training. Under his leadership, the nonprofit expanded to seven cities, employed over 1,000 people, and helped people realize their potential in the workforce. "Rafa’s dedication to workforce development for many years well-positions him as the ideal leader to drive UpSkill Houston’s next chapter,” Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean said. “His tenacity for creating opportunities for individuals and businesses alike will be pivotal to scale the work of UpSkill Houston and create opportunity for Houstonians.” After leaving Genesys Works in 2019, Alvarez joined the founding leadership team of Moderno Porcelain Works, where he led the People and Training function. He was instrumental in hiring and training the first 300 employees, helping the company expand to 14 cities in just three years. Alvarez’s earlier career includes 11 years at Compaq Computer Corporation as a corporate strategist, project manager and design engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Houston. Alvarez has called Houston home for over 30 years.  Outgoing Leader Peter Beard to Join U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Alvarez joins the Partnership following the announcement that Peter Beard, who has led UpSkill Houston since 2014, will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation early next year. Beard was instrumental in shaping UpSkill Houston into a national collaborative model that engaged over 150 employers and more than 70 educational and workforce organizations. Based in Washington, D.C., Beard will focus on scaling similar efforts nationwide, building a resilient and adaptable workforce to meet the country’s evolving needs. "Peter’s exceptional ability to unite industry, education, and community stakeholders has driven meaningful progress in workforce development,” Kean said. “His new role at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reflects the significant impact of his work here in Houston and the value it brings on a national level." ### MEDIA CONTACT:           Brina Morales               Communications Director [email protected]            

The Burning Glass Institute (BGI), with financial support from Walmart.org, selected the Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston initiative as its partner to develop the Jobs That Mobilize (JTM) initiative. This initiative focuses on deploying BGI’s methodology to pinpoint jobs that offer the greatest opportunities for workers, are highly sought by employers, and are crucial for regional growth. Using its proprietary data, BGI analyzed occupational mobility in Houston by looking at job progressions and identifying overlapping and adjacent skills. BGI's approach is based on the understanding that each worker’s skill set is shaped by their work and educational experiences and unique personal attributes. It acknowledges that no worker excels in all skills and that there is a balance between technical and work-ready skills.  Source Job: A starting occupation a worker might be employed in. Jobs That Mobilize: Occupations that offer the greatest opportunity for workers, are highly sought by employers, and critical to regional priorities. Target Jobs: An occupation that a worker might end up in depending on their career path. Throughout 2024, BGI and UpSkill Houston engaged employers in energy, health care, and other sectors, including those with technician, business services and technology roles. The goal was to validate the skills needed for JTM roles by identifying transferable skills that are broadly applicable and specific to individual jobs. The team focused on differentiating between critical “day one” skills and those acquired through experience or training. These strategically identified skills directly address pain points for employers and prepare talent for filling gaps in the most pertinent industries. This effort resulted in the Work Ready Skills Matrix, which includes Proficiency Levels, and a Skills Validation Playbook. These tools are designed to help UpSkill Houston, employers, educators, and community-based training providers align on the skills required for identified Jobs That Mobilize. The Playbook aims to foster a shared understanding of necessary skills and streamline skills-first training and hiring processes. Matt Sigelman, President of the Burning Glass Institute, reflects on the partnership with UpSkill Houston and how their collaborative efforts are setting a benchmark for skills-first workforce solutions: "When the Burning Glass Institute sought a partner in applying our Jobs That Mobilize framework within the laboratory of a local community, working together with the Greater Houston Partnership and UpSkill Houston was a clear fit. In many ways, UpSkill Houston embodies what the framework is all about. Just as UpSkill Houston brings together industry, education & training, and policy makers toward a common goal of shared prosperity, the Jobs That Mobilize framework brings focus to the sets of jobs that represent pain points to employers, that are vital to targeted growth sectors, and that offer strong upward mobility and good wages for talent. Alongside the Partnership and UpSkill Houston, we were able to design nontraditional pathways that will unlock opportunity for workers and give employers access to hidden talent. The Partnership and UpSkill Houston opened to us networks they have built based on the deep trust they have earned with an array of stakeholders, enabling us to validate the framework and connect with over 100 educators, employers, and community organizations. I am excited to know that they have what it takes to carry this work forward and bring the framework to life. UpSkill Houston’s commitment to data-driven action and continuous improvement will certainly serve as an inspiration for other communities."  As the region embraces new opportunities in emerging industries, UpSkill Houston invites employers, educators, and community leaders to join the effort in shaping a skilled and inclusive workforce for 2025 and beyond. Learn how you can partner with UpSkill Houston and be part of the solution for our region’s economic future. Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.

UpSkill Houston's mission is to cultivate one of the finest skilled workforces globally and ensure opportunities for all residents in the Houston region. Over the past decade, UpSkill Houston has established a renowned employer-led collective focused on developing skilled talent initiatives, setting a benchmark admired by major metros. In 2024, the UpSkill Houston summit marked a decade of success and highlighted the need to accelerate efforts in talent-driven economic development. The summit emphasized skills-first approaches to tap into hidden and diverse talent pools, aiming to mobilize the entire workforce. With a strong foundation, UpSkill Houston seeks to "Equip and Inspire" partners to enhance and scale workforce development for current and future economic needs. The success of UpSkill Houston over the past year is evident in the milestones achieved and partnerships cultivated. Here’s a snapshot of its impact: 200,000+ students impacted 5,424 individuals referred by Houston Back on Track between April 2023 and March 2024 70+ education, community and workforce organizations committed to collaborating with employers 4 industry sector collaboratives focused on building talent pipelines As Houston transitions from an industrial to a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy, the rapid evolution of skills is reshaping the labor market. New roles are emerging, existing ones are being modified, and some are being displaced. This transformation presents both challenges and opportunities for the region. To maintain the region's competitive edge, UpSkill Houston is committed to addressing the skills gap and expanding opportunities. Future actions include: Developing the skilled workforce needed for the emerging hydrogen and energy industries in East Harris County. UpSkill is partnering with Accenture to engage more than 15 hydrogen and energy employers to understand the skills, needs and demands for the future, creating massive opportunity for economic mobility. Enhancing data and tools to better address the region's skills challenges. Utilizing the “Equip and Inspire” model to provide resources and strategies that activate partners and drive solutions. By implementing these actions, UpSkill Houston aims to ensure that the Houston region remains a global leader in economic strength and skilled workforce development. By implementing these actions, UpSkill Houston aims to ensure that the Houston region remains a global leader in economic strength and skilled workforce development. Linda Aldred, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Texas Children's Hospital, reflects on the transformative power of collaboration and the collective impact achieved by UpSkill Houston over the years: "As I think back on my eight years of being a part of UpSkill Houston, my greatest takeaways have been the power of the partnership, the collaboration that exists in the room, and the impact it achieves. It has been great to partner with colleagues in the industry to think about what the workforce of the future looks like and what we need to do to prepare Houston. UpSkill Houston has challenged all of us to shift our mindsets from working on this challenge alone to the power of a committed group collaborating to build something impactful together."  As the region embraces new opportunities in emerging industries, UpSkill Houston invites employers, educators, and community leaders to join the effort in shaping a skilled and inclusive workforce for 2025 and beyond. Learn how you can partner with UpSkill Houston and be part of the solution for our region’s economic future. Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.