TEXAS — There’s a need for trade workers in Texas, and Gov. Greg Abbott hopes a new group of industry leaders can help fill it.
The new Texas Jobs Council is made up of leaders from the state’s most impactful industries, such as oil and gas, construction and engineering.
The council will advise the governor’s office and the Texas Legislature on their employment needs, which will help Texans on the job hunt.
Texas Association of Builders President Scott Norman says the group’s first meeting on Monday was productive. He says his industry needs employees with all skills, not just construction.
“The two things that drive housing growth are population growth and job growth and Texas continues to be blessed to have both of those,” Norman said. “So we need people in our industry of all different types of trades.”
As part of the new jobs council, Norman says he also wants to help the state tackle housing affordability. He says the labor shortage is one factor driving up costs.
“So many folks are priced out of their ability to purchase a home or to live in affordably priced housing and part of that is due to the labor shortage,” Norman said.
The Texas Workforce Commission told Spectrum News that the state’s unemployment rate hit 4.3% in December, which was the highest level since January 2022.