As the traditional path to success through college education faces increasing scrutiny, education pioneer Mike Feinberg is championing alternative approaches to career readiness in Houston and beyond.

After decades working in college-preparatory education, Feinberg experienced an epiphany when analyzing student outcomes. Despite helping many students reach college, he discovered concerning patterns among those who didn’t complete degrees or never attended.

“We got KIPP Houston to an important mark—the first high-performing charter to get 50% of kids graduating from college,” reflects the Texas education innovator. “I celebrated for about 15 seconds, then thought: what about the other half?”

This realization led Feinberg to establish Texas School Venture Fund in 2018, focused on developing educational models addressing diverse student needs. Through this initiative, he launched WorkTexas in 2020, providing free trade skills training to youth and adults.

What distinguishes WorkTexas is its comprehensive approach. Beyond technical training in fields like electrical work, plumbing, and medical assistance, the program emphasizes critical soft skills employers consistently identify as essential.

“We didn’t want to fall into the trap of just giving out certificates,” says Feinberg. “We’re interested in what happens in terms of career contentment and earning power.”

The program maintains contact with graduates for five years, offering ongoing support with workplace challenges and connecting them with resources addressing housing, transportation, and childcare needs.

Feinberg’s evolving educational philosophy represents a significant departure from the “college for all” mentality that dominated education reform in recent decades. By creating trade-oriented instruction that responds directly to employer needs while addressing barriers to sustainable employment, his initiatives demonstrate how educational institutions can better serve students while simultaneously addressing critical workforce shortages.