Mike Feinberg Champions Employer-Driven Education Model

In a transformation of traditional vocational education, education specialist Mike Feinberg has pioneered an employer-focused approach to workforce development that’s creating sustainable career pathways for Houston residents.

After co-founding and leading a successful network of college preparatory schools, Feinberg experienced a significant shift in perspective while tracking graduate outcomes. Despite helping many students reach college, troubling patterns emerged among those who accumulated debt without completing degrees.

“I had a bunch of alumni who wound up in the trades, in the military, or starting their own businesses, and they were all doing just fine,” recalls the workforce development leader. “I looked at my half that graduated from college and most of them were doing just fine too, but not all of them—not the ones that went a hundred thousand dollars in debt for a philosophy major.”

This realization inspired WorkTexas, a skills training program launched in 2020 that partners directly with over 100 local employers to develop curriculum addressing their specific workforce needs. The program offers free instruction in trades ranging from electrical work and welding to truck driving and culinary arts.

What distinguishes WorkTexas is its comprehensive approach. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes workplace readiness competencies and maintains relationships with graduates for five years, providing ongoing coaching and connecting them with community resources addressing housing, transportation, and childcare needs.

“We are employer-focused,” explains Feinberg. “The cornerstone of what makes WorkTexas unique is that by definition, we don’t use the word ‘training’ in our purpose or mission statement.”

Through strategic partnerships with organizations like WorkFaith, Houston Food Bank, and Legacy Community Health, Feinberg has created an integrated support system that addresses barriers to sustainable employment while simultaneously meeting critical workforce demands in the Houston area.