The Postsecondary Pathways Conference (PPC) is Houston’s leading convening at the intersection of education, workforce, and industry, bringing together the people shaping how young Houstonians access meaningful careers and long-term economic mobility.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, more than 250 educators, counselors, workforce leaders, employers, and training partners gathered at The KBC Houston for BridgeYear’s 6th Annual Postsecondary Pathways Conference (PPC 2026). Co-hosted by BridgeYear, Good Reason Houston, and the Greater Houston Partnership, the conference focused on what Houston’s workforce will look like over the next 10-20 years and how schools and employers can better prepare students to succeed in it.
As Houston’s economy evolves, so must the systems that support young people after high school. PPC 2026 created space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and cross-sector collaboration, all centered on strengthening Houston’s talent pipeline and expanding pathways to economic mobility.
Data, Practice, and Employer Insight in One Room
The conference opened with new insights from Good Reason Houston, as Patrick Gill, Director of Research & Data Strategy, unveiled the latest findings from the Postsecondary Pathways research. The data offered a clear picture of how Houston-area graduates are navigating life after high school and highlighted strategies that are improving postsecondary success and early-career outcomes.
Building on that foundation, PPC 2026 centered on employer voices and real workforce demand. A plenary panel moderated by April Fabre, Vice President of Human Resources at CenterPoint Energy, brought together leaders from Gulf States Toyota, Quanta Services, and Seafarers International Union to discuss Houston’s evolving labor market, the industries that are growing, and the skills employers will need in the coming decades.
These conversations reinforced a shared understanding: preparing students for the future of work requires alignment between education, workforce training, and industry.
From Insight to Action: Breakout Sessions & Experiences
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in hands-on breakout sessions designed to translate insight into action.
Participants learned directly from local workforce training providers and employers during Meet the Connectors sessions, gaining clarity on training pathways and how to connect students to in-demand careers. Other sessions highlighted Houston-area high schools improving postsecondary success and economic mobility, offering replicable models educators can bring to their own schools.
Attendees also explored BridgeYear’s Career Test Drive® Fair, where hands-on career simulations demonstrated how early exposure to high-growth careers helps students build clarity and confidence in their postsecondary options. A guided tour of CenterPoint Energy’s training facilities offered a behind-the-scenes look at electrical careers and the skills required to succeed in a rapidly growing industry.
Understanding Workforce Demand
The conference concluded with Dr. Erin Baumgartner, Director of the Houston Education Research Consortium at the Kinder Institute, who introduced the Workforce Demand Dashboard. The tool provided a clear, data-driven view of Houston’s labor market trends and offered educators and workforce leaders practical insights to inform advising, program design, and partnerships.
Strengthening Houston’s Talent Pipeline
The conference highlighted the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in preparing students for meaningful careers. Attendees left with actionable insights, new partnerships, and strategies to support students in accessing high-growth, living-wage opportunities.
“As Houston’s economy continues to evolve, closer collaboration between schools and employers is essential to ensuring students can access pathways to economic mobility,” said Victoria Chen, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BridgeYear. “At BridgeYear, we work alongside employers and workforce training providers to give students direct exposure to real career pathways, connecting them to hands-on learning, credentialed training, and entry-level opportunities that launch careers. Conferences like PPC help align education and industry so Houston’s talent pipeline reflects the workforce our region needs.”
BridgeYear’s 6th Annual Postsecondary Pathways Conference was proudly presented by ConocoPhillips, whose continued support helps make this convening possible.
