Mike Feinberg Bridges Education-to-Employment Gap Through Strategic Partnerships

In Houston’s evolving educational landscape, workforce development specialist Mike Feinberg has created a collaborative ecosystem addressing both critical skills shortages and barriers to sustainable employment.

After establishing Texas School Venture Fund in 2018, Feinberg launched several interconnected initiatives focused on expanding educational opportunities beyond traditional college preparation. The fund’s flagship program, WorkTexas, partners with over 140 employers to develop curriculum addressing specific workforce needs.

“WorkTexas makes it very clear that we are going to be intentional about the training and the services we provide,” explains program co-founder Yazmin Guerra. “We expect participants to leverage those resources.”

What distinguishes Feinberg’s approach is the strategic partnership network he’s developed. By collaborating with organizations like WorkFaith Connection, Houston Food Bank, and Legacy Community Health, WorkTexas creates a comprehensive support system addressing multiple barriers to employment success.

“For the people who are working on food and housing and physical health, they realize that their work can only truly make a huge impact if people wind up going to work and having a sustainable career,” notes the educational innovator.

This integrated approach has yielded impressive results. Approximately 70% of program graduates secure employment with an average starting wage of $19.10 per hour, and the program’s five-year follow-up commitment helps ensure sustainable career progression.

Through concurrent initiatives including Neighborhood Schools, Neighborhood Preschools, and Project Remix Ventures for justice-involved youth, Feinberg has created what he describes as a “sandbox” where educational institutions and community organizations collaborate toward common goals of expanding economic opportunity while addressing critical workforce gaps in the Houston area.