HOUSTON—The region has experienced notable growth during the last several years due to a resurgence in energy, petrochemicals, manufacturing, life sciences and construction. Healthcare, oil and gas, utilities and port/maritime are also critical sectors.

However, leaders from across the business community have identified one of the region's most pressing issues as finding qualified workers for good jobs that are vital to the success of these industries. And as the local economy continues to expand and diversify, job creation will continue to outpace the supply of highly qualified, skilled talent coming out of both state and national universities.

The Greater Houston Partnership's talent attraction initiative draws on elements of the city's image campaign, Houston: The City With No Limits, and creates tools and resources that enable the business community to better sell the Houston region to professional talent. And, a recruiter toolkit has content that is relevant to prospective employees who are willing to relocate to Houston, GlobeSt.com learns.

One challenge is the skills gap that has reached critical proportions among middle-skill jobs—those who require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. Of Houston's 3.6 million jobs, 1.4 million—or approximately 40%—are considered middle-skill positions.

The mounting challenge for greater Houston's industries equals potential advancement for its citizens. In June 2014, the Partnership created UpSkill Houston—among the nation's first business-led collaborations working with education and community stakeholders—to close Houston's skills gap by aligning collective efforts. UpSkill Houston supports efforts to develop the talent required for economic competitiveness and ensures residents share in the region's prosperity. It also helps to ensure that unemployed and underemployed workers as well as young people in Greater Houston have the skills and opportunities to build successful careers. This is accomplished with resources, structure and convening opportunities to foster region- and sector-wide collaboration among employers and educational institutions, as well as training and service providers (community-based organizations and government agencies).

A governing executive committee of 32 members brings together a broad spectrum of players and keeps UpSkill Houston on course. Sector councils, organized by business for business, oversee industry-specific tactics to build the talent pipeline.

Another initiative that is helping to generate employment is the fifth employment-based preference (EB-5). This immigrant visa category is for qualified foreign investors seeking to invest in a business that benefits the US economy by creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs. Through this program, international entrepreneurs are encouraged to invest in America, thus developing American jobs and companies through the program.

The state has given the Houston economic development division the authority to designate project sites as a target employment area, a requirement within the application for smaller investment opportunities. The initial amount required for foreigners to invest is $1 million, although that number is reduced to $500,000 if the investment is made in an area designated as rural or facing high unemployment. Approximately 10,000 green cards are available through the EB-5 program each year.

During the past seven years, DC Partners has employed a range of creative investment strategies to pursue acquisition and development opportunities through the Houston EB-5 program, its own private fund and institutional investment partners. DC Partners and Houston EB-5 have several projects in Houston.

Houston EB5 has completed successful raises totaling more than $80 million for DC Partners' Astoria, Eighteen 25, District Lofts, Marlowe and Arabella projects, and has a 100% success rate on both I-526 approvals and I-829 approvals. For example, Astoria has 74 condominiums and 29 floors of high-rise living with views and within walking distance of boutiques, bars and restaurants. This project sold out one year before construction was completed and 50% of the EB-5 investors in Astoria have received I-829 approval, which removes conditional green card status and confers permanent US residency, Emilio Guzman, executive vice president of DC Partners, tells GlobeSt.com.

Marlowe is DC Partners' 20-story 100-residence contemporary tower in downtown. Another project, Arabella, is a 33-story 99-residence tower positioned next to the River Oaks District three blocks from the Galleria.

Instant Insights /

Metro Initiatives Hope to Engage Potential Workers

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