In Houston’s evolving workforce landscape, Mike Feinberg is pioneering a different approach to vocational training. As co-founder of WorkTexas, established in 2020, Feinberg has developed a program that goes beyond traditional job preparation to address the real barriers to employment success.
The foundation of his approach is straightforward: identify what employers need and build comprehensive support around it. “We are employer-focused,” Mike Feinberg explains, describing his mission “to help people get jobs, keep jobs, advance careers.” This philosophy drives the program’s intensive 11-week curriculum, which delivers 170 hours of targeted training.
Let’s get to @WorkTexas ! https://t.co/qvZyig2JDh
— Mike Feinberg (@kippbigdog) November 25, 2024
Yet Feinberg’s real innovation lies in his understanding of what makes career training stick. “A lot of people we train are one flat tire away from disaster,” he observes. “We can help everyone get a job based on their training; but you’re not going to do well in your job if you’re homeless or hungry, or your car stops working.” This insight has led to the development of crucial support services, including childcare solutions that serve more than 60 children.
Through what he calls a “sandbox” approach to community collaboration, Feinberg has created a network of support services working toward common goals. “The people who are working on food, housing and physical health realize their work can only truly make a huge impact if people wind up having a sustainable career,” he explains. Operating from strategic locations at Gallery Furniture and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department’s Opportunity Center, his program demonstrates how comprehensive support can transform job training into sustainable career development.