About Upskill Coastal Bend

Regional Collaboration
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Welder working on a pipe
Social and Human Service Assistants talking to client
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Rotary-Drill-Operators at work
registered nurses holding tools
patient going through MRI
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Medical records technician typing
Medical records technician typing
Medical Assistants holding tools
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The Challenge

Coastal Bend's Middle-Skills Gap
The Coastal Bend Region has experienced incredible growth over the last several years. Led by a resurgence in energy, petrochemicals, manufacturing, life sciences, and construction, the region’s economy has been widely acclaimed as one of opportunity. However, leaders from across the business community have identified one of the region’s most pressing issues as finding qualified workers for good jobs vital to the success of our region.The Coastal Bend’s skills gap has reached critical proportions among middle-skill jobs—those that require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree.The mounting challenge for greater Coastal Bend Region equals potential advancement for its citizens. UpSkill Coastal Bend helps to ensure that unemployed and underemployed workers as well as young people in the Coastal Bend Region have the skills and opportunities to build successful careers, stabilize their families, and improve their lives.

Our Response

Unprecedented Regional Collaboration

In 2018, a coalition of education, community partners, and government leaders created UpSkill Coastal Bend—among the nation’s top education-led collaborations working with education and community stakeholders.UpSkill Coastal Bend helps break down barriers, foster open dialogue, and create a singular vision to power solutions that prepare our workforce for good-paying middle-skill jobs in high demand across the region. Our collaboration works close our region’s skills gap by aligning collective efforts to pursue three fundamental objectives:

Coastal Bend College Logo
Coastal Bend Council of Governments Logo
civic-lab-logo
health care ministries of South Texas logo
Del Mar College Logo
Craft Training Center CTC logo
ESC2 Logo
Education to Employment-Logo Transparent
Texas A&M Corpus Christi Logo
Texas A&M Kingsville Logo
Trellis Foundation logo
Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend

Attracting Coastal Bend Talent

Attract unemployed and underemployed Coastal Bend residents and youth to middle-skill positions across the region—in part by raising awareness of and changing perceptions about these careers.

people raising their hands in the classroom

Upskill The Local Workforce In High-Demand Fields

Engage unemployed and underemployed Coastal Bend residents and youth by promoting middle-skill career opportunities across the region. This includes increasing awareness and reshaping perceptions to highlight the value and potential of these careers.

teacher training a technician

Place Well-Trained Workers Into Well-Paid Careers

Our goal is to place and retain these workers in stable, middle-skill jobs that provide opportunities for growth and long-term career success. These positions are designed to reward individuals who continuously enhance their skills, ensuring they stay competitive in the workforce. Additionally, we foster a supportive environment by offering mentorship and guidance to those who may need extra assistance, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence in their careers.

Welder working with sparks flying

Meet Our Regional Leadership

Our Amazing Partners

Coastal Bend College Logo
Coastal Bend Council of Governments Logo
civic-lab-logo
health care ministries of South Texas logo
Del Mar College Logo
Craft Training Center CTC logo
ESC2 Logo
Education to Employment-Logo Transparent
Texas A&M Corpus Christi Logo
Texas A&M Kingsville Logo
Trellis Foundation logo
Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend