Southeast Texas Works!

Is your next career move or hiring strategy backed by real data? Average weekly wages in Southeast Texas have broken $1,400, but knowing where the demand is actually growing is what matters most. Join Economist William Lutz as he uncovers the 2024–2034 Texas Workforce Commission Occupational Projections. Lutz highlights top-paying, high-demand roles across SETX and explains how you can access labo...

ABC Construction Training Center's President & CEO Shandi Conner and Director of Community Outreach Esther Esquivel highlight how new Workforce Innovation Funding through Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas is fully covering tuition to earn essential NCCER Core and OSHA 30 safety credentials. Want to get started in the Construction Industry? These two credentials are what Construction employers ar...

Turner Industries Regional Vice President Alan King Jr. discusses the workforce needs shaping Southeast Texas' industrial sector, the careers currently in demand, what employers look for in job candidates, and how training, safety, and certifications can help launch a successful career. Whether you're a student, job seeker, or considering a career change, this episode offers valuable insights into...

Mackenzie LaHaye, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Nederland, discusses career opportunities in the financial services industry, the skills and qualifications needed for success, and the many pathways available for students, job seekers, and career changers interested in pursuing a career in finance. The conversation also explores the firm's Financial Fitness program, which helps individuals...

Kasey Sloan, HR Recruiter for The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, discusses the hospital's new ownership, expanding healthcare services, and the growing demand for healthcare professionals across the region. The conversation highlights career opportunities ranging from CNAs and LVNs to Registered Nurses and non-clinical hospital roles, while also exploring how The Medical Center is investing in...

Craig Llewellyn, Public Affairs Manager for Sempra Infrastructure, shares an inside look at the $25 billion Port Arthur LNG Project and its growing impact on Southeast Texas. The conversation highlights project progress, global energy exports, and the wide range of local careers supporting construction and future operations. For more information about careers at Port Arthur LNG visit  https://port...

In this episode, we explore the growing demand for skilled automotive technicians and why this high tech, high opportunity field is becoming one of the most overlooked career paths today. Leaders from Bolton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram share what they are seeing on the ground, from the rapid evolution of vehicle technology to the urgent need for a new generation of talent. You will learn how today's t...

In this episode, we sit down with Robyn Whitney and Erynne Dryden from the Baptist Hospital School of Radiologic Technology to explore one of Southeast Texas' best kept healthcare career secrets. With a legacy dating back to 1951, this hospital-based program offers a unique, hands-on pathway into the high-demand field of radiologic technology. You'll learn what a typical day looks like for an X-ra...

In this episode, you'll hear from Milton Briggs, Apprenticeship Program Leader at Dow, who offers an inside look at how Dow is building strong, sustainable talent pipelines through its apprenticeship and early-career programs in Southeast Texas. Milton shares how Dow's operations transform natural gas into essential products used in everything from infrastructure to healthcare, while also investin...

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Anthony, Workforce Development Specialist at Bechtel, one of the world's largest and most significant engineering, construction, and project management firms. Patrick shares how Bechtel is building the future through its Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs, which combine classroom learning with hands-on field experience, use NCCER...

Get ready for a deep dive into a high-demand career path, as we sit down with Jeff Broussard, Business Agent/Organizer, and   Joseph Karcher, Assistant Coordinator for the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, to explore the Pipefitters Local 211 Registered Apprenticeship Program. We discuss the critical work pipefitters perform across Southeast Texas industries, the key skills needed for s...

Southeast Texas has faced a challenging road since 2020, but the region's labor market has made a strong comeback. In this episode, Texas Workforce Commission Economist William Lutz provides an in-depth economic update, highlighting the banner year of job growth in 2024, how our unemployment rate has tracked closer to the state average, and why industries like construction and manufacturing contin...

Discover how Apache Industrial is building the future workforce through hands-on training, leadership development, and community outreach. In this episode, Zeke Smith, Director of Leadership & Workforce Development at Apache Industrial, shares how apprenticeships open doors to rewarding careers, why safety is central to the industry, and how programs are empowering youth, women, and veterans to su...

Daniel Marshall and Lori Higgins of Rave Financial share how the credit union is expanding career opportunities in the finance industry while empowering individuals to take control of their money. From the Money Better program that teaches practical budgeting skills, to the Rave Partner Program that helps employers reduce financial stress in the workplace, Rave is shaping a financially stronger So...

In this episode of Southeast Texas Works, we sit down with Kevin Cline, a seasoned HR professional from Unique HR, to uncover what really makes a resume and interview stand out. Discover practical tips on avoiding common resume mistakes, how to tailor your application using AI without losing authenticity, and why soft skills like communication, problem solving, and time management are just as impo...

In this episode, we explore how the Southeast Texas Teacher Externship Program connects classrooms to local industries, giving educators firsthand experience inside companies like Valero. By job shadowing professionals across maintenance, safety, engineering, and more, teachers gain valuable insights they can bring back to their students—showing them that rewarding careers exist right in their own...

In this episode we talk with leaders from Mason Construction—Le Short, Kyle Kibodeaux, and Butch Hart—about in-demand careers like Hydro Excavation Operators and Project Managers, their Craft Training Program, partnerships with Lamar University and Texas A&M University, and their strong support for workforce development in Southeast Texas. Career pathways and the importance of raising awareness ab...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Thomas Johnson, outgoing president of Lamar State College Orange, and Dr. Wendy Elmore, incoming president and current Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Johnson reflects on his impactful seven-year tenure—marked by record enrollment, 40+ new vocational programs, and national recognition for student success—as he prepares...

Lamar Institute of Technology's (LIT) Fire Academy is shaping the next generation of firefighters through hands-on training, industry certification prep, and real-world simulations. In the latest episode of the  Southeast Texas Works! podcast, we sit down with John Randall, Coordinator of Fire Protection Technology at LIT, to discuss the path to becoming a firefighter, salary expectations, and the...

In this episode, we go beyond the thrift store and explore how Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas & Southwest Louisiana is transforming lives through workforce development. Michelle Richer-Mengerink, Vice President of Mission Services, shares how Goodwill provides job training, career services, digital skills education, and financial empowerment programs to help individuals achieve long-term s...

Tune in for a conversation with Aaron Demerson, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, as he discusses how Texas maintains its position as a top business destination. Mr. Demerson explains how the organization markets Texas both domestically and internationally, emphasizing the state's business-friendly climate and workforce development initiatives. He also highlights the...

Join us as we welcome Kelly Krick, Union Representative at Seafarers International Union of North America (SIU), to discuss the vital role of the Merchant Marine and the career pathways it offers. In this episode, we explore the process of becoming a Merchant Mariner, key certifications, and training opportunities. Discover insights into wages, job stability, industry growth, and how SIU supports...

We sit down with Charlie Foxworth, Broker/Owner of REMAX ONE and past president of the Beaumont Board of Realtors, to discuss the current state of the real estate market in Southeast Texas. Charlie shares valuable insights on housing trends, market challenges, and the impact of large-scale industrial projects on local real estate. We also dive into real estate career opportunities, how to get star...

We speak with Gavin Jones, Regional Director of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), about the growing opportunities in semiconductor manufacturing in Southeast Texas. Gavin explains how TMAC is offering virtual reality-based training to prepare workers for a field poised for growth as manufacturers expand into the region. We also explore how AI is transforming the manufacturing indus...

Tune in for an interview with Casey Sullivan-Flood, Recruiter for Acadian Ambulance, as she provides an in-depth look at careers in emergency medical services. Casey shares her journey from paramedic to recruiter and offers valuable insights into the roles of EMTs and paramedics. She discusses Acadian's training programs, including their National EMS Academy, and describes the day-to-day life, cha...