Linking Education and Workforce: Spurring Economic Growth Across Texas
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Tri-Agency Workforce Goals and Strategies
As directed by HB 3767, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, a collaboration among the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission, presents the final state workforce development goals and strategies
The proposed strategies support the three statewide priorities listed below and identified in the 2020 Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative report, Linking Education and Workforce: Spurring Economic Growth Across Texas.
You may view the goals and strategies here: Tri-Agency State Workforce Goals and Strategies 
.
About the Initiative
Governor Greg Abbott established the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative in March 2016. Through the Initiative, the Commissioners of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) work together to help Texas grow in economic prosperity.
Tri-Agency Priorities
Pathways
Support efficient and flexible pathways to earning degrees, certificates, and other credentials linked to high-wage, in-demand jobs.
Support
Ensure students receive the supports necessary to succeed at all stages of their educations and in their transitions to the workforce.
Infrastructure
Create a robust infrastructure for interagency collaboration around common goals, data, and processes to ensure improved student outcomes and meet employers’ needs.
Tri-Agency Reports and Publications
The Tri-Agency Strategic Framework for Work-Based Learning
House Bill (HB) 1247, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session (2021), requires Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to jointly develop a strategic framework to encourage work-based learning (WBL) in Texas and to submit the report to the Legislature on that framework.
December 2022 Tri-Agency Strategic Framework for Work-Based Learning Report
December 2022 Tri-Agency Strategic Framework for Work-Based Learning Report One Pager
The History of the Tri-Agency Initiative
Governor Greg Abbott established the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative in March 2016, when he tasked the Commissioners of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to work together on five initial charges centered on developing strong links between education and industry, with the goal of helping Texas grow in economic prosperity.
In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature passed transformative school finance legislation, House Bill 3, that calls for sweeping reforms in education and will shape the future of the Texas workforce. To fully implement the vision of House Bill 3, Governor Abbott has charged the three agencies with streamlining implementation of the legislation and identifying solutions for long-term workforce needs across the state.
In 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature (Regular) passed House Bill 3767, which identified measures to support the alignment of education and workforce development with state workforce needs and established the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative.
Tri-Agency Timeline
July 2015
- 60x30TX plan was adopted
March 2016
- Governor Abbott established the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative
March – June 2016
- Commissioners conducted 7 regional meetings
November 2016
- First Tri-Agency report was published with recommendations
June 2019
- House Bill 3 was signed into law, transforming school finance in Texas
February 2020
- Governor Abbott issued new charges to be addressed by the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative
February 2020
- Tri-Agency progress report was published
April – June 2020
- Multiple virtual meetings held to inform the development of the second Tri-Agency report
November 2020
- Tri-Agency website launched and Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative Final Report published
