Fort Worth, February 15, 2026
Fort Worth is proactively addressing workforce challenges by building a skilled talent pipeline through strategic collaborations and innovative programs. Recognizing the connection between a thriving economy and a prepared workforce, local organizations are working together to empower individuals with necessary skills. Key initiatives, including the ‘Build Your Fort Worth Workforce Summit’, aim to address skills gaps identified in various sectors, fostering partnerships between businesses and educational institutions to drive economic growth and innovation in the region.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth Confronts Workforce Challenges, Builds Talent Pipeline
Fort Worth, a city celebrated for its dynamic growth and robust spirit, is proactively addressing critical workforce challenges and fortifying its talent pipeline. Through strategic collaborations and innovative programs, the city aims to cultivate a skilled labor force capable of driving sustained economic prosperity and entrepreneurial success in the region.
The local business landscape, characterized by its resilience and a strong commitment to community, consistently seeks avenues for expansion and improvement. Recognizing that a thriving economy is deeply interconnected with a well-prepared workforce, key organizations are uniting to ensure that Fort Worth TX business remains vibrant and competitive. This forward-thinking approach underscores a belief in empowering individuals through skill development and providing entrepreneurs with the resources needed to flourish.
Addressing the Skills Gap Head-On
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce is set to host the “Build Your Fort Worth Workforce Summit” on Wednesday, February 25, at Texas Wesleyan University. This half-day program is designed to facilitate data-driven conversations among business leaders, HR professionals, and education partners regarding workforce readiness and the specific needs of local employers. The summit will present findings from the Chamber’s three-phase Skills Gaps Survey, conducted in late 2025 by its Talent Committee. These findings identify pressing skills gaps affecting both the current workforce and graduating students, highlighting challenges faced by employers. Discussions will also cover the influence of soft skills—non-technical abilities—on workplace productivity and culture, alongside research into long-term outcomes for Fort Worth students.
A noticeable gap in soft skills, often termed “power skills,” has been identified by businesses through the Chamber’s retention and expansion efforts. Additionally, difficulty in filling key roles within healthcare and IT/tech/software sectors has been a consistent challenge. The summit aims to move from discussion to action, utilizing real data and employer experiences to strengthen the connection between classrooms and careers.
Strategic Partnerships for a Robust Talent Pipeline
Fort Worth’s approach to workforce development is deeply rooted in collaboration. The Fort Worth Chamber partners with entities such as the Region II Education Service Center, Tarrant County College (TCC), InterLink, Inc., and the Tarrant and North Central Texas Workforce Boards. These partnerships are crucial for building and sustaining a strong talent pipeline. The Regional Workforce Leadership Council, which includes the Fort Worth Chamber, Region II Education Service Center, Tarrant County College, InterLink, Inc., and Tarrant and North Central Texas Workforce Boards, works collectively to address regional workforce needs.
Tarrant County College plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, offering a wide array of associate degrees, workforce and economic development programs, and technical and skilled trades programs. TCC provides customized training for area businesses and corporations, and its apprenticeships, registered with the Department of Labor, combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to nationally recognized credentials. The TCC Opportunity Center further provides basic skills and job readiness courses. Moreover, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County funds training scholarships for eligible job seekers to upgrade skills for high-demand careers, collaborating with TCC for no-cost adult vocational academies.
Empowering Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
The City of Fort Worth has launched a comprehensive Small Business Development Program (SBDP) within its Economic Development Department. This program is designed to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small business owners by cultivating partnerships with chambers of commerce, certification agencies, and community organizations. The SBDP provides access to procurement opportunities, technical assistance, and mentorship, aiming to create a pipeline of sustainable businesses that contribute to job creation and economic stability. The Fort Worth Business Assistance Center (BAC) serves as a central hub, offering training, technical assistance, funding opportunities, and business support services to established and startup small businesses.
The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC) is a key player in this effort, supporting organizations in strengthening professional development and leadership growth within their workforce through its Business Resource Group (BRG) Task Force. The FWHCC also offers bilingual programming, educational workshops, advocacy efforts, networking opportunities, and business consultations to equip entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive. The FWHCC has launched over 17 new initiatives in the past two years, addressing challenges such as capital access, workforce development, and procurement readiness for minority-owned businesses. Additionally, CDFI Friendly Fort Worth has partnered with LiftFund to offer a 0% Interest Buy-Down Program, providing up to $100,000 in interest-free loans to eligible Fort Worth small businesses to drive growth and create jobs.
Fostering Innovation and Economic Growth
Fort Worth has steadily emerged as a hub for Texas TX entrepreneurs, supported by a growing ecosystem. Organizations like Sparkyard connect business founders with essential resources, while TechFW offers mentorship and funding connections. The city’s economic development strategic plan aims to establish Fort Worth’s competitive edge, foster creative businesses, and ensure community vitality. Fort Worth’s business-friendly climate is characterized by a lower cost of doing business—5% lower than the national average in terms of tax burden, labor, rent, and energy costs—and the absence of state and local income tax.
The Fort Worth Chamber’s Regional Economic Development Partnership, launched in collaboration with over 18 municipalities and counties, focuses on supporting existing local businesses and marketing the region as an attractive destination for relocating companies. This partnership strengthens community relationships, tracks business trends, and shares data and resources to fuel Fort Worth economic growth.
Investing in the Future Workforce
Building a future-ready workforce is a continuous endeavor in Fort Worth. Efforts are concentrated on aligning education with industry needs and retaining talent within Texas. The Texas Skills Development Fund (SDF) is a crucial state-level resource, offering customized training solutions through partnerships between businesses and community colleges. This fund helps modernize the workforce by facilitating training in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and cutting-edge customer service technologies. The Fort Worth Chamber emphasizes that a strong education system is vital for a strong economy and community, advocating for business leaders to be engaged partners in shaping educational solutions.
Proactive strategies are being adopted to anticipate future workforce needs. This includes promoting engineering careers to students earlier, encouraging universities like UT-Arlington to retain graduates in the region, and fostering closer ties between industry and education. The concept of “Beyond Next,” which encourages communities to anticipate workforce needs before they arise, is gaining traction, particularly in sectors like aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and logistics, where artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are rapidly transforming industries.
Fort Worth’s dedication to developing a robust talent pipeline and supporting its vibrant small business community is evident through these diverse and collaborative initiatives. By prioritizing entrepreneurial innovation, strategic partnerships, and continuous skill development, the city is not only addressing current workforce demands but also laying a strong foundation for future economic growth and individual achievement. Residents and businesses are encouraged to stay engaged with these crucial efforts to ensure Fort Worth’s continued prosperity.
FAQ
- What is the purpose of the Fort Worth Chamber Summit?
- The “Build Your Fort Worth Workforce Summit” aims to address critical workforce challenges and strengthen the talent pipeline by presenting new workforce skills data, discussing soft skills in the workplace, and exploring long-term outcomes for Fort Worth students.
- Which organizations are collaborating on workforce development in Fort Worth?
- Key collaborators include the Fort Worth Chamber, Region II Education Service Center, Tarrant County College, InterLink, Inc., Tarrant and North Central Texas Workforce Boards, and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
- How does Fort Worth support its small businesses and entrepreneurs?
- Fort Worth supports small businesses and entrepreneurs through programs like the City’s Small Business Development Program (SBDP), the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center (BAC), and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC)’s initiatives for professional development and capital access.
- What are some of the key skills gaps identified in the Fort Worth workforce?
- Businesses have identified a noticeable gap in soft skills (power skills) and difficulty in filling key roles in the healthcare and IT/tech/software sectors.
- What is the Texas Skills Development Fund?
- The Texas Skills Development Fund (SDF) is a state-level tool that provides customized training solutions through partnerships between businesses and community colleges to modernize the workforce, particularly in emerging fields.
Key Features of Fort Worth’s Workforce and Economic Development Initiatives
| Initiative/Program | Description | Key Focus Areas | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Your Fort Worth Workforce Summit | A half-day program hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber to discuss workforce readiness and employer needs. | Workforce skills data, soft skills, long-term student outcomes. | City-level |
| Small Business Development Program (SBDP) | A comprehensive City of Fort Worth initiative to expand opportunities for small businesses. | Procurement access, technical assistance, mentorship, job creation. | City-level |
| Fort Worth Business Assistance Center (BAC) | A one-stop shop providing training, technical assistance, funding, and business support services. | Business planning, certification, access to capital. | City-level |
| Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC) Initiatives | Programs and task forces focused on professional development, leadership growth, and capital access. | Bilingual programming, entrepreneur incubation, workforce development for minority-owned businesses. | City-level |
| Tarrant County College (TCC) Programs | Offers associate degrees, workforce development, technical trades, customized training, and apprenticeships. | Skills development, industry-recognized credentials, on-the-job training. | County-level |
| Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County | Provides training scholarships and career advising for eligible job seekers. | High-demand career training, industry-recognized credentials, employer connections. | County-level |
| Texas Skills Development Fund (SDF) | A state-level tool providing customized training through partnerships between businesses and community colleges. | Modernizing workforce, training in emerging fields (AI, advanced manufacturing). | State-level |
| Regional Economic Development Partnership | Launched by the Fort Worth Chamber to promote regional growth and attract businesses across the DFW metro area. | Business retention, regional marketing, project management. | Regional (DFW metro) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Toll Brothers Announces New Master-Planned Community in Richmond
Houston Businesses Navigate Growth Amidst Rising Costs
Two UT Austin Faculty Members Selected as Cottrell Scholars
Hood County Rejects Moratorium on Data Center Development
Texas Ascends to Top 3 for Business Launches
University of Texas Institutions Announces GenAI Partnership
TCU Launches Innovative Land Management Course
Houston’s Oil Sector Faces Major Job Cuts
Tom Homan’s Visit to UTEP Sparks Immigration Debate
Dallas Faces Challenges as Immigration Policies Stifle Job Growth
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
