TIP has spent 30 years at the intersection of economic and workforce development. Our early adoption of a holistic approach that acknowledged the important role of talent in economic vitality anticipated a shift in the profession. TIP CEO and founder Tom Stellman looks back at company milestones in this practice area and considers future trends.
International students help strengthen economies through their contributions to local industries, culture, and workforce. The US benefits from the steady influx of global talent, particularly in STEM fields, through the F1 visa program. Cities that align academic programs with industry needs and embrace remote work trends are becoming hubs for retaining skilled graduates, fostering long-term economic growth.
How International Students Strengthen the Workforce Read More
Many remote and rural communities struggle to build broadband infrastructure due to their limited resources and capacity. TIP’s examination of the broadband workforce in 32 high-needs counties on behalf of the Texas Broadband Development Office highlights gaps in this critical workforce and the value of a regional approach in bridging this digital divide.
Building a Broadband Workforce Through Regional Collaboration Read More
Expanding green industries, rising energy demands, and climate challenges have made growing the climate workforce an economic priority. While policy shifts create uncertainty, employer demand continues to outstrip the supply of skilled workers. Programs like those in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Detroit are demonstrating how targeted training, strong partnerships, and community-driven initiatives can build a skilled workforce while expanding economic opportunity and resilience.
The mobility and infrastructure (M+I) industries will face massive workforce shortages nationwide due to large, federally funded capital projects. From transit apprenticeships to safe workplace practices, industry-specific initiatives can act as scaffolding while the foundation of workforce training is built. Efforts to expand the M+I talent pipeline in California’s Santa Clara Valley; Denver, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon are examples.
Workforce Strategies to Drive Mobility and Infrastructure Talent Growth Read More
Internships offer students a way to explore potential career paths, develop early professional skills, and contribute to real-world projects. To be most effective for students and employers, two key components must be in place: access and quality. In this blog post, our 2024 summer intern, Jess Myers, examines both concepts and reflects on her experience at TIP.
Quality and Access: The Blueprint for Effective Internships Read More
Higher education plays an essential role in strong innovation economies. TIP’s Talent, Innovation, and Place framework encompasses the idea that aligning universities with economic development efforts is central to community success. Recent plans for Texas and Mississippi illustrate how states and regions can build an innovation economy through academic and industry partnerships.
Building an Innovation Economy: Lessons from Texas and Mississippi Read More
Connecting workers to job opportunities and long-term career paths is a critical component of sustainable economic growth that is often hampered by a lack of information sharing and coordination among organizations. TIP’s proprietary Job Quality and Access tool, developed in collaboration with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, provides multi-dimensional data that helps identify higher quality and more accessible jobs across geographies.
Students often feel pressured to pursue four-year degrees despite skyrocketing education costs. However, the value of affordable, shorter educational pathways, such as associate’s degrees and technical certificates, is increasingly evident. Institutions like Texas State Technical College and San Jacinto College demonstrate the benefits of skill-specific training, supported by philanthropic and industry investments, offering promising alternatives to traditional college routes.
Supporting Shorter, More Affordable Pathways to Quality Jobs Read More
As technology advances, a skills gap has emerged between students’ education and employers’ needs, threatening future workforce readiness. Work-based learning programs, which integrate real-world experiences and employer insights into education, offer a viable solution. This blog post explores three examples of programs that help students acquire essential skills and better prepare for high-demand jobs, addressing talent shortages in major sectors.
