From Furniture Store to Future Careers: The WorkTexas Innovation

The morning orientation session begins with a simple message painted on the metal building’s exterior: “Work is life’s greatest therapy.” Inside, about 30 students gather for their first taste of WorkTexas programming, ranging in age from 17 to 78, representing the program’s commitment to serving all ages.

Marc Pollicove greets each student personally at the Gallery Furniture location, understanding that many arrive facing significant personal challenges. Some lack heat in their homes, others juggle multiple jobs, and many have been let down by previous educational experiences.

“Good morning, Caleb. How are you doing, buddy? Glad you’re here,” Pollicove says, setting a positive tone despite the cold February morning. His 43 years of teaching experience inform his approach to rebuilding trust with students who may have been failed by traditional education.

Employer-Driven Curriculum Development

WorkTexas distinguishes itself through direct employer involvement in program design and implementation. More than 100 business partners provide curriculum input, internship opportunities, and hiring commitments, ensuring graduates learn skills that match actual market demands.

TRIO Electric President Beau Pollock exemplifies this partnership model. His company helped develop the electrical training curriculum and has hired multiple WorkTexas graduates, valuing the program’s emphasis on both technical skills and workplace readiness.

“What we really need is people who get to work on time, people who can work on a team,” Pollock said. “Mike has embraced the employer’s perspective but also has the education perspective.”

The program offers training in electrical work, welding, plumbing, automotive technology, HVAC maintenance, commercial truck driving, medical assistance, culinary skills, and other high-demand fields. Technical instruction comprises about 30% of the curriculum, with the remainder focused on soft skills development.

Students spend approximately four hours daily on academic coursework using laptop-based curricula, followed by two hours of hands-on technical training. This integration helps students apply mathematical concepts to real-world construction calculations or electrical load computations.

Community Partnerships and Support Services

The program’s comprehensive support system addresses barriers that often prevent successful workforce entry. Houston Food Bank provides food security assistance, while Wesley Community Center offers financial literacy education. Journey Through Life handles behavioral health services.

This collaborative network creates what program leaders call a “sandbox” where different organizations work together toward common goals. The approach reflects understanding that workforce development requires addressing students’ comprehensive needs.

Co-founder Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” provides both space and marketing reach through his Gallery Furniture business. His involvement brings credibility and visibility to the program through television advertisements and community presence.

“I see the people coming up here asking for money in a stream of hopelessness constantly,” McIngvale said. “Giving them money doesn’t work, because it’s gone the next day and they’re back in the same situation.”

Houston Community College President Mike Webster helped develop the academic framework and funding model, leveraging federal workforce development dollars and state education funding to support program operations.

The childcare component addresses a critical barrier for many participants. Using federal and local funding, WorkTexas provides daytime care for more than 60 children, removing a major obstacle to training participation.

Mike Feinberg’s Educational Philosophy in Action

Program co-founder Mike Feinberg brings three decades of experience working with underserved populations through his role developing the KIPP charter school network. That background provides crucial insights into effective approaches for engaging students who have struggled in traditional settings.

“We overshot the target with college for all,” Feinberg acknowledged. “All of our college counselors could have, should have been career counselors or life counselors where college is an important pathway but not the only pathway.”

The program’s five-year alumni tracking commitment reflects Feinberg’s focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term metrics. Staff maintain regular contact with graduates, providing ongoing job coaching and career advancement support.

“We’re not just looking at how the students are doing with us this year,” Feinberg said. “We make a commitment to follow our students for at least five years.”

Early outcome data supports this approach. WorkTexas reports that 70% of graduates secure new or improved employment, with average starting wages of $19.10 per hour. Of the 637 alumni from evening programs, 345 are employed, with about 100 returning for additional training.

The juvenile justice component operates through the Opportunity Center, where students involved in the justice system combine GED preparation with vocational training. This integrated approach achieves 93% attendance rates among participants.

Director Vanessa Ramirez, a former KIPP student who leads the Opportunity Center, credits the holistic approach for these results. Students receive behavioral health services, access to sensory rooms, and entrepreneurial opportunities through Project Remix Ventures.

Success stories include graduates who have received national recognition from employers within months of completing training. Jacob Martinez completed HVAC training in 2022 and now works as a technician for the Houston Astros, earning $60,000 annually with full benefits.

“WorkTexas gave me the skills and confidence to go out on my own path,” Martinez said. “I’m building for my future and starting to think about applying for a house one day.”

The model addresses broader economic trends favoring skills-based hiring. Research from American Student Assistance indicates 81% of employers prefer hiring based on candidate abilities rather than degrees, while skilled labor wages have increased more than 20% since 2020.

Feinberg’s approach emphasizes creating sustainable career pathways rather than short-term job placement. The focus remains on quality outcomes that enable participants to achieve economic stability and career advancement.

Future expansion plans include integration with Premier High School’s 50 Texas campuses and development of additional Houston-area locations. The model attracts national attention from workforce development professionals seeking to replicate Houston’s success.

For students like Cecily Salas, a 23-year-old single mother enrolled in the commercial electrical program, WorkTexas provides hope for economic mobility. “If it’s free, it’s for me,” she said while scanning QR codes for additional support services during orientation.

The program demonstrates that innovative approaches to workforce development can achieve remarkable results when they address participants’ comprehensive needs rather than focusing solely on technical training. By combining skills instruction with holistic support services, WorkTexas creates pathways to middle-class stability without requiring four-year degrees.

The morning orientation session begins with a simple message painted on the metal building’s exterior: “Work is life’s greatest therapy.” Inside, about 30 students gather for their first taste of WorkTexas programming, ranging in age from 17 to 78, representing the program’s commitment to serving all ages. Marc Pollicove greets each student personally at the…