Mike Feinberg is turning traditional job training on its head through WorkTexas, a program that’s revolutionizing how Houston approaches workforce development. Since its 2020 launch, Feinberg’s innovative model has demonstrated that successful career preparation requires more than just skills training.
His unique approach begins with a simple but powerful insight. “We are employer-focused,” Feinberg explains, outlining his mission “to help people get jobs, keep jobs, advance careers.” This philosophy drives the program‘s intensive 11-week curriculum, delivering 170 hours of targeted training designed to meet actual workforce needs.
But it’s Feinberg’s understanding of real-world challenges that truly sets WorkTexas apart. “A lot of people we train are one flat tire away from disaster,” he observes. “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 recognition has led to comprehensive support services, including childcare solutions supporting more than 60 children.
Feinberg’s innovation extends to his creation of what he calls a “sandbox” for 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,” he explains. Through strategic locations at Gallery Furniture and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department’s Opportunity Center, his program is demonstrating how workforce development can achieve lasting impact when skills training and support services work together.