At Houston’s WorkTexas program, Mike Feinberg is putting a new spin on vocational education. The 2020 initiative reflects Feinberg’s understanding that successful workforce development requires bridging the gap between training and real-world employment needs.
The program’s design is distinctly practical: 11 weeks of intensive training, 170 hours of hands-on learning, and a curriculum shaped by employer input. “We are employer-focused,” Feinberg explains, describing his mission “to help people get jobs, keep jobs, advance careers.”

But it’s his approach to support services that truly sets the program apart.
Operating from strategic locations including Gallery Furniture and the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department’s Opportunity Center, WorkTexas addresses the often-overlooked barriers to employment success. “A lot of people we train are one flat tire away from disaster,” Feinberg 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 the creation of what Feinberg calls a “sandbox” for community collaboration, where organizations providing essential services work together to support sustainable employment outcomes. The program’s comprehensive approach includes childcare solutions supporting more than 60 children, demonstrating Feinberg’s commitment to addressing the practical challenges that often prevent career advancement.
By combining targeted skill development with robust support services, Feinberg is showing how workforce development programs can create lasting pathways to success.