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AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) applauded BlackRock’s $30 million investment in Texas through its Future Builders initiative, which is focused on expanding skilled trades training and strengthening workforce pipelines to meet the needs of employers. The investment will support training for more than 12,000 Texans to pursue electrical careers.

TAB joined Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink at TSTC’s Waco campus for today’s announcement, focused on increasing access to high-demand career pathways, aligning training with employer needs, and accelerating job placement in critical industries.

“Texas’ growth depends on our ability to build and sustain a skilled workforce at scale,” TAB Interim President and CEO Megan Mauro said. “BlackRock’s investment, in partnership with TSTC, strengthens the pipeline in a way that is measurable and employer aligned. It also reflects what TAB represents: businesses of all sizes investing in the communities where they operate, creating jobs, and partnering to ensure Texans have the skills to access those opportunities. That is what a strong business climate delivers for people across this state.”

During the event, TAB emphasized that workforce investments must be paired with policy changes that remove barriers to entry and accelerate credentialing in high demand trades.

On April 10, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) proposed a rule to modernize the pathway to becoming a Journeyman Electrician, allowing intensive classroom instruction to count toward the current 8,000 hour on-the-job training requirement and permitting candidates to sit for licensure exams earlier in the process.

TAB is submitting public comments in support of the proposed rule ahead of the May 11 deadline.

“Modernizing our state’s licensure pathways is a practical step toward expanding the workforce without lowering standards, and is something TAB has long supported,” said Mauro.

TAB noted that aligning training programs like Future Builders with updated licensing frameworks will accelerate workforce entry, reduce project delays, and improve cost stability across sectors including construction, energy, and digital infrastructure.

“Workforce is core economic infrastructure,” Mauro added. “BlackRock’s leadership through the Future Builders initiative aligns with Texas’ forward-thinking approach toward ensuring our ever-growing business community continues to have access to the best talent in the nation.”

The Texas Association of Business will continue to advocate for policies that expand workforce participation, strengthen employer pipelines, and ensure Texas remains the best state for business investment and job creation.

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