COSTEP Strengthens Binational Platform to Connect Talent, Education, and Industry

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) is advancing the consolidation of a binational platform designed to connect the capabilities of educational institutions with industry needs in South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas, as part of a strategy to strengthen talent development and support new investment coming into the region.

The initiative was presented during a meeting of the Binational Higher Education Advisory Council, held at the Port of Brownsville, where representatives from higher education institutions on both sides of the border participated. The meeting began with welcoming remarks from Guillermo Rico, Director of Business Development at the Port of Brownsville, and also included Gilberto Salinas, CEO of the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC), who discussed talent needs linked to Brownsville’s industrial growth and new projects coming into the region.

Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, explained that the council seeks to integrate information on universities, colleges, and technical institutions, as well as academic programs, certifications, and degrees available on both sides of the border.

Platform Integrates Data From 34 Educational Institutions and 315 Manufacturers

During the presentation of the BHAC Dashboard, Alma Saldaña Cruz, Deputy Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, explained that the platform currently includes 34 educational institutions, 14 of which are located in the Rio South Texas Region and 20 in Northern Tamaulipas.

The system allows users to access information through categories such as location, type of institution, academic levels, areas of specialization, and accreditations. Participants proposed simplifying some filters and incorporating additional information that would allow companies to more accurately identify the capabilities of each institution.

The platform is complemented by COSTEP’s Industrial Data System, which contains information on approximately 315 manufacturing companies across the region.

One of the main objectives discussed during the meeting is for both systems to identify not only the region’s strengths but also its talent gaps across the region. Proposals include incorporating information on the number of graduates by discipline, skills associated with each program, certifications, and registered apprenticeship programs.

Participants also highlighted the importance of including technical profiles needed even before a new plant begins operations, such as welders, electricians, HVAC specialists, and construction workers, in addition to engineers and other professionals.

Looking ahead, COSTEP is even considering using artificial intelligence to match a company’s specific needs with academic programs, graduates, and capabilities available throughout the region.

COSTEP Seeks to Close Talent Gaps Amid Industrial Growth

During his remarks, Gonzalez emphasized the importance of creating the conditions necessary for the region to retain its own talent and capitalize on the industrial growth taking place on both sides of the border.

“For many years, our region’s biggest export has been talent,” said the CEO of COSTEP, referring to workers and professionals leaving the region.

He explained that the goal is to prevent trained professionals and workers from having to leave the region in search of opportunities while companies entering the region are forced to seek talent elsewhere.

In this regard, the project seeks to strengthen collaboration among industry, educational institutions, and economic development organizations to build a workforce capable of responding to the new technologies and industrial projects coming to Rio South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas.