Workforce Solutions Unites Education and Manufacturing

South Texas’ ability to attract manufacturing investment starts with preparing its people. In an interview during the State of the Regional Workforce event, Francisco Almaraz, CEO of Workforce Solutions, described how regional cooperation and education guided by employers can help turn industrial growth into opportunities for Rio Grande Valley workers.

“And that is what our job is, to prepare the workforce to attract more investments coming into the Rio Grande Valley,” Almaraz said.

A Regional Approach to Industrial Growth

Almaraz explained that the gathering brought together the workforce boards serving Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy counties and Workforce Solutions Cameron. The joint summit gave their directors an opportunity to consider investment across the Valley and how the two boards could support that growth together.

He pointed to major capital investments at the Port of Brownsville and in the McAllen area as part of the broader regional picture.

For manufacturers, that coordination matters: preparing workers across communities can help employers access the skills they need while opening career opportunities throughout South Texas.

Advanced Manufacturing Creates Opportunity

Almaraz described manufacturing as a growing sector, with advanced manufacturing investment creating an opportunity to draw additional business interest.

“We’re getting a new investment in advanced manufacturing,” he said. “So I think that’s going to attract more companies to take a look at the Rio Grande Valley and know that they have a workforce here.”

His comments connect industrial recruitment with workforce preparation. Attracting companies requires people who can support their operations, and developing those skills helps make the region’s investment proposition stronger.

Employers Help Shape the Talent Pipeline

Almaraz said Workforce Solutions works with education partners to establish pathways based on what businesses say they need.

“The businesses are the ones that are telling us, ‘This is what we need,’” he said.

Workforce Solutions helps communicate those requirements to educators, connecting classroom instruction with the skills employers seek.

“Make sure that all of the skills that are needed by the employers are being taught in the schools,” Almaraz said, describing a process that begins in primary and secondary education and continues into postsecondary programs.

That approach gives education a direct role in South Texas’ manufacturing future. Preparing students for industry requires coordination across their educational journey, with employers helping identify the capabilities that lead to work.

Preparing People for Lasting Growth

Almaraz emphasized that the talent pipeline must function “seamlessly and effectively.” His message places workforce development at the center of the Valley’s industrial opportunity: businesses identify their needs, educators build relevant skills, and regional partners help connect people with employment. As South Texas pursues more manufacturing investment, strengthening those relationships can help the region grow its industrial capacity and create lasting opportunities for its workforce.