Press Release<\/a><\/p>\n Tours International Union Of Operating Engineers Training Center<\/p>\n Governor Greg Abbott today touted\u00a0the mission\u00a0of the Texas Jobs Council to strengthen the state\u2019s talent pipeline, emphasizing\u00a0the critical role of career training to meet\u00a0the\u00a0state\u2019s\u00a0growing workforce demands. The Governor also toured the International Training & Education Center,\u00a0the flagship training facility of\u00a0the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), the most comprehensive training center for union Operating and Stationary Engineers in North America.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The training and skills learned by workers like those behind me are\u00a0helping ensure Texas has the best workforce in the nation,” said Governor Abbott.\u00a0\u201cTexas\u00a0parents want their children to have a good paying career in\u00a0the future. The\u00a0Texas\u00a0Job Council is delivering on that by equipping our current workforce with the resources they need to enhance their skills and develop premier job training at high schools, colleges, and\u00a0apprenticeship programs.\u00a0All of us are\u00a0united\u00a0by\u00a0a shared\u00a0mission to keep Texas the best state in America for doing business, the number one state in America for jobs, and ensure great careers for generations of Texans.”<\/p>\n During his\u00a0remarks, Governor Abbott\u00a0highlighted the importance of aligning workforce training with the needs of Texas employers and ensuring Texans are prepared to fill high-demand, good-paying jobs.\u00a0He noted that Texas continues to lead the nation in workforce development and pointed to the state\u2019s top ranking for the most\u00a0business relocations and expansion projects<\/a>\u00a0and for being named the\u00a0Best Business Climate<\/a>\u00a0in the nation.\u00a0Additionally, Governor Abbott also\u00a0recognized IUOE for their leadership in\u00a0training\u00a0skilled workers\u00a0and their contributions to building a workforce capable of supporting Texas\u2019\u00a0continued economic\u00a0growth.<\/p>\n Over the\u00a0past two years, the state has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs across Texas. Last year, Governor Abbott signed\u00a0House Bill 20<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0House Bill 120<\/a>\u00a0into law to expand career and technical education opportunities for students across Texas by establishing partnerships with institutions of higher education and improving college and career advising.<\/p>\n The Governor was joined by\u00a0Representative Briscoe Cain, Council Co-Chair and Texas Association of Business Interim President Megan Mauro, IUOE Assistant Director of the Construction Training Department Tom McNamara, IUOE local 450 Business Manager Mark Maher Jr,\u00a0and other business and labor leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n