Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of the Texas Jobs Council on Mar. 16, following its first meeting at the Governor’s Mansion. The new advisory board is designed to strengthen workforce development initiatives and help Texans prepare for high-demand jobs across the state.
The creation of the Texas Jobs Council comes as Texas continues to experience significant job growth and record employment levels, according to the official website of the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The council aims to ensure that business and labor work together to meet the increasing need for skilled workers in fields such as electrical work, plumbing, welding, trucking, and more.
“Texas right now is the hottest state in America for business and labor opportunities,” said Governor Abbott. “For us to maintain our dominance, business and labor are working together to meet the high demand for high skilled labor, positions like electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, truckers, and a whole lot more. Today, we galvanized that partnership with the launch of the Texas Jobs Council. We are unified on a mission that benefits all Texans. A mission that will keep Texas number one for business, keep Texas number one for jobs, and keep Texas number one for workforce training, ensuring great careers for generations of Texans.”
Abbott was joined by several leaders from both business and labor sectors at the event. Members appointed to the council include Brent Taylor (Vice President South Teamsters Local 745 & Teamsters Joint Council 80), Megan Mauro (Interim President Texas Association of Business), Tony Bennett (President Texas Association of Manufacturers), Todd Staples (President Texas Oil and Gas Association), Hector Rivero (President Texas Chemistry Council), Scott Norman (President Texas Association of Builders), Robert Mele (President Teamsters Local 988), Robert Wayne Lord (Business Manager Plumbers Local Union 68), Alan Robb (Assistant General International Longshoremen’s Association), Lacy Wolf (Local 22 President Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 22), Mark Maher Jr. (Business Manager International Union of Operating Engineers 450), and Bryan Edwards (Business Manager Pipefitters Local Union 211).
The council will focus on executive actions that can be implemented immediately by state agencies to reduce regulatory burdens related to workforce development. It will also develop policy and legislative recommendations ahead of the next legislative session. A final report outlining these recommendations is expected in November 2026.
According to its official website, since his election in 2014 Greg Abbott has led an office focused on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling, and southern border security according to the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The office maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to its official website, exercises authority statewide according to its official website, and earned recognition when Abbott was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to its official website.
Additional photos from today’s event are expected to be provided when available.
