Mike Feinberg: Pioneering Holistic Workforce Development in Houston

Mike Feinberg’s approach to workforce development is reshaping how Houston thinks about vocational training. As co-founder of WorkTexas, launched in 2020, Mike Feinberg has introduced several key innovations that differentiate the program from traditional job training initiatives.
First is his insistence on employer-driven curriculum development. “We are employer-focused,” Feinberg explains, outlining his mission “to help people get jobs, keep jobs, advance careers.” This philosophy has resulted in an intensive 11-week program that delivers 170 hours of targeted training aligned with actual workforce needs.

Even more significant is Feinberg’s recognition that technical skills alone don’t guarantee success. “A lot of people we train are one flat tire away from disaster,” he notes. “We can help everyone get a job based on their training; but you’re not going to do well in your job if you’re homeless or hungry, or your car stops working.” This insight has led to his development of comprehensive support services that address real-world barriers to employment.
Perhaps Feinberg’s most innovative contribution is what he calls the program’s “sandbox” approach to community collaboration.

“The people who are working on food, housing and physical health realize their work can only truly make a huge impact if people wind up having a sustainable career — [and] stop needing those services at some point down the road. There’s a symbiotic relationship here we’re tapping into that’s pretty neat.”
Through his leadership, WorkTexas has evolved beyond simple job training into a comprehensive career development program that maintains contact with graduates for up to five years. Feinberg’s vision of how vocational education can “come back better” is creating sustainable pathways to success for Houston’s workforce.