Workforce
Development & Training
Empowering Communities. Changing Lives.
Providing Economic Empowerment through Workforce Development Initiatives
The Houston Area Urban League’s Workforce Development and Training Program is designed to equip individuals with the skills and resources needed to succeed in today’s evolving job market. Focused on serving historically underserved communities, the program provides access to job readiness training, career counseling, industry certifications, and employment placement support.
Participants receive hands-on guidance to strengthen both technical and soft skills, preparing them for careers in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, logistics, and customer service. The program also includes resume building, interview preparation, digital literacy, and financial education to support overall economic mobility. By connecting individuals with employers, training partners, and career pathways, the Workforce Development and Training Program helps participants achieve long-term employment, financial independence, and a clear path toward economic self-reliance.
Providing Economic Empowerment through Workforce Development Initiatives

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Core Programs
HAUL’s Workforce Development and Training (WFD) program is spearheaded by various initiatives to provide individuals with the resources and skills to be marketable in a competitive labor market.
Our WFD programs available are as follows:
Basic Skills Training
Employment Orientation (also known as Basic Skills Training)
Providing a formidable foundation to secure employment.
This core program provides individuals with the essential skills that will ensure those seeking employment with more opportunities to successfully find a part-time and/or full-time position. The basic skills that we provide to individuals through our Employment Orientation Core Program include the following: personal assessment, resume development, presentation skills/dress for success, effective communication skills, and interviewing techniques. Through this basic but beneficial skills training, individuals are more prepared to find gainful employment more effectively, but most importantly, they can have the confidence necessary to pursue jobs in which they previously believed they were not qualified or prepared to apply.
Career Coaching
Career Coaching
Empowering clients to align skills, interests, and goals with meaningful employment
Our career coaching services are designed to empower clients to pursue meaningful employment opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and long-term goals. Through one-on-one support, our trained staff and volunteers help clients uncover what inspires and motivates them in their work, creating a foundation for both career satisfaction and financial stability.
We guide clients in setting realistic job search goals, identifying transferable skills, and highlighting key experiences that strengthen their resumes and cover letters. Coaches provide personalized feedback to help participants refine their application materials and present themselves confidently to potential employers. Clients also receive support in recognizing and addressing common stumbling blocks or barriers to employment—such as limited work history, skill gaps, or personal challenges—while developing actionable strategies to overcome them.
In addition, our career coaching integrates hands-on practice and skill development. Clients gain experience in interview preparation, professional communication, and interpersonal skills, helping them demonstrate confidence and competence during the hiring process. Participants are also encouraged to cultivate essential professional qualities—such as adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving—that improve their workplace success and long-term retention.
Job Search Strategy & Referrals:
Career coaching includes support in crafting a tailored job search plan. Coaches help clients learn how to research opportunities, connect with industry-specific networks, and apply strategic approaches to increase their chances of employment. For clients who actively engage with a job coach on resume development, interview skills, and professional readiness, we also provide access to targeted job leads and direct referrals to employers.
This combination of coaching and referrals ensures that clients not only find job opportunities but are also fully prepared to seize them with confidence.
Building Confidence and Resilience:
A core focus of our coaching is strengthening client confidence and fostering a positive outlook toward work. We help participants see their value, embrace their potential, and take proactive steps toward achieving sustainable careers. By combining encouragement with practical tools, our coaches equip clients to navigate challenges, remain resilient, and stay motivated on their path to economic independence.
Workforce Occupational Skills
Workforce Occupational Skills
Preparing individuals towards achieving success in high demand occupations
There is a great need to address how necessary it is to provide individuals with the skills, tools and resources to secure better professional opportunities. With each passing year, the demand for skilled professionals in various industries that will expand in the coming years is significant. The Workforce Occupational Skills Core Program provides the tools that will prepare individuals to succeed in emerging and high-growth industries.
Through various initiatives, such as the National Center for Construction Education and Research Core Curriculum (NCCER) for industry craft skills, the Urban Energy Jobs Program, Project Elevate: Urban Youth Empowerment Program, and the Urban Tech Jobs 2.0 program, we are providing individuals with varied options that they can choose from and ultimately gain the skills to secure employment and most importantly, secure professional success for themselves and creating a positive economic impact for their loved ones.
Workforce Pathways For Youth
Workforce Pathways For Youth
Providing a formidable foundation to secure employment.
The Houston Area Urban League’s Urban Youth Pathways program empowers youth ages 14–21 with the skills and certifications needed to launch meaningful careers. Participants receive free in-person certification training and job placement assistance in high-demand fields like Information Technology and Craft Trades—Energy/Construction.
The program also offers:
· Job referrals and one-on-one job coaching
· Resume development and interview prep
· Image management and soft-skills training
· Access to support services and job placement assistance
Eligible participants may qualify for:
· Transportation assistance
· Paid work experience
· Support services and program incentives
Urban Youth Pathways is designed to remove barriers and open doors to career success.
Center for Energy Workforce Development
The Houston Area Urban League’s Center for Energy Workforce Development connects individuals from underserved communities to meaningful careers in the growing energy sector. By working alongside industry, education, and community partners, the Center provides pathways into skilled technical careers that utilize STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) knowledge—without requiring a bachelor’s degree.
What We Do
Our programs combine pre-apprenticeship training, industry-recognized certifications, and career coaching to prepare participants for success in high-demand and emerging energy fields such as:
- Clean and Renewable Energy (solar, wind, biomass, and biofuels)
- Power Industry Fundamentals
- Safety and Compliance (OSHA-30, Fall Protection, Excavation, Pipeline Safety)
- Energy-related technology and infrastructure careers
How We Support Participants
- Hands-On Training: Short-term (80–160 hour) training programs designed for entry-level career readiness.
- Credentials That Matter: Industry certifications that strengthen employability and career advancement opportunities.
- Career Connections: Direct pathways into Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and partnerships with employers across the energy sector.
- Wraparound Support: Job placement assistance, financial coaching, transportation assistance, and income supports to help participants overcome barriers to success.
Our Impact:
The Center empowers youth and adults to enter sustainable careers in energy while supporting Houston’s clean energy transition. By bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, we not only diversify the energy workforce but also create long-term economic mobility for families and communities.
UW Financial Stability and Basic Needs
The Financial Stability and Basic Needs program is designed to help individuals and families in the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and others experiencing economic hardship to move from crisis toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Through an integrated service model, clients receive immediate relief for urgent needs while also building the tools, skills, and resources required for lasting financial well-being.
Basic Needs Support:
We provide assistance to individuals and families facing urgent hardships that threaten their stability, such as rental or utility arrears, food insecurity, or lack of access to essential resources. This support helps households stabilize during times of crisis, reducing the risk of eviction, homelessness, or other compounding challenges.
Financial Stability Services:
Beyond crisis relief, our program equips clients with the knowledge and tools to achieve long-term financial health. Services include:
- Career Coaching to support job readiness, job search strategies, and employment placement.
- Financial Coaching to help clients set and reach goals such as budgeting, credit repair, debt reduction, and savings.
- Income Supports Navigation to connect clients to public benefits, tax credits, and community resources that supplement income and reduce financial strain.
- Asset Building to promote long-term stability through pathways like homeownership preparation, matched savings, or access to affordable financial products.
Integrated Approach:
Our approach combines direct services, one-on-one coaching, and community referrals to ensure that clients not only meet their immediate needs but also build the foundation for financial independence. Each client works with staff to create an individualized plan that reflects their goals, reduces barriers, and aligns with available community resources.
By addressing both short-term emergencies and long-term financial strategies, the Financial Stability and Basic Needs program helps families reduce stress, improve their economic outlook, and move closer to self-sufficiency.
Urban Tech Jobs
The Urban Tech Jobs Program 2.0 (UTJP 2.0) is a cutting-edge workforce development initiative designed to open doors to high-demand careers in information technology. Offered through the Houston Area Urban League in partnership with the National Urban League and supported by Comcast and Google, the program equips participants with the technical training, career coaching, and job placement support needed to thrive in today’s digital economy.
UTJP 2.0 provides no-cost, market-driven IT certification training in areas such as:
- CompTIA Tech+
- CompTIA A+
- AI Essentials
- AWS
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Cloud+
- And More
Our program goes beyond training. Participants receive individualized career coaching, resume and interview preparation, and direct job referrals to connect them with employers seeking diverse talent in the tech sector.
By combining technical instruction with holistic support, UTJP 2.0 helps individuals overcome barriers, build confidence, and enter sustainable careers in technology without the burden of student debt.
Why Choose UTJP 2.0?
- Scholarships available for Training & Certifications – Gain industry-recognized IT credentials at no cost.
- Career Coaching – One-on-one support to strengthen job readiness and confidence.
- Employer Connections – Direct referrals and access to a network of hiring partners.
- Community Impact – Expanding economic opportunity for underserved communities in Houston.
Whether you are starting your career, transitioning into technology, or seeking advancement, the Urban Tech Jobs Program 2.0 provides the tools, training, and connections to succeed.
Urban Energy Jobs Program
The Urban Energy Jobs Program, offered through the Houston Area Urban League’s Center for Energy Workforce Development, provides economic empowerment by preparing participants for careers in the growing clean energy sector. This initiative focuses on skilled technical careers that utilize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge but do not require a bachelor’s degree, making high-demand, high-growth energy careers more accessible to our communities.
Program Focus:
The program is designed to connect participants to preparatory training and pre-apprenticeship opportunities that lead directly into Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in the Clean Energy Industry. Graduates gain the foundational skills needed to secure and succeed in entry-level positions across solar, wind, nuclear, natural gas, and other emerging energy fields.
Training Overview:
Participants complete an 80-hour, three-week training program that includes:
- Introduction to the Power Industry
- Alternative Energy
- Biomass and Biofuels
- Solar Power
- Wind Power
- Nuclear Power
- Basic Safety (OSHA 30 Certification)
- Fall Protection Safety
- Excavation & Pipeline Safety
- Know your Role in the Green Environment
Credentials & Support Services:
HAUL’s is a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certificated Training Sponsor.
In addition to industry-recognized certifications Resume development & interviewing skills training
- Financial coaching and job readiness support
- PPE provided at no cost
- Job placement assistance and direct referrals
- Transportation assistance and limited income support
Why It Matters:
The Urban Energy Jobs Program equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to enter high-growth clean energy careers, while also helping to diversify the energy workforce. By breaking down barriers and providing wraparound support, the program ensures participants can move from training to sustainable employment and long-term financial stability.
Project Elevate-Urban Youth Empowerment Program
Project Elevate is the Houston Area Urban League’s flagship workforce development and empowerment initiative designed to prepare youth and young adults ages 16–25 for success in today’s rapidly changing economy. Through hands-on training, career coaching, and wraparound support, Project Elevate equips participants with the skills, certifications, and confidence needed to launch meaningful careers in high-demand industries.
Program Highlights:
- No-Cost Training & Certifications: Participants can earn industry-recognized credentials in energy and technology at no cost.
- Energy Track: OSHA 30, Intro to Pipeline Safety, Intro to the Power Industry, Alternative Energy, and Fall Safety Protection.
- Technology Track: CompTIA Tech+, CompTIA A+, and Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals.
- Career Readiness: Resume development, interview practice, and communication skills are built into the program.
- Comprehensive Support: Transportation assistance, program incentives, and job placement support are provided to help participants succeed.
Why It Matters
Project Elevate creates equitable access to career pathways in energy and technology, two of the fastest-growing fields in Houston and beyond. By combining technical training with personal and professional development, the program helps young adults overcome barriers, gain confidence, and take the first step toward economic mobility.
Whether pursuing a future in clean energy, skilled trades, or the technology sector, Project Elevate empowers youth to unlock their potential and build a brighter future.
SHELL Power Through Parternship WD&T
The Program will ensure students graduating from High Schools are prepared for College culture and success by strengthening our partnerships with HBCU institutions. Program provides support to “strengthen workforce and career placement”, facilitate youth employment opportunities, and measure college success and culture for each youth through their academic and career plan, and personal portfolio that will help them achieve their life goals.

In The News
Comcast is Helping Houstonians Learn Digital Skills for Free
Comcast is Helping Houstonians Learn Digital Skills for Free
The company’s ‘Digital Navigator’ programs teach digital skills that will provide greater opportunities and quality of life.
HOUSTON — Almost every job or level of education requires some level of digital skill. Whether it’s working a cash register, joining an online conference call, or accessing information, these digital skills are vital to know.
According to a recent report, jobs that require even one digital skill pay an average of 8-thousand dollars a year more than jobs with no digital skill requirements. Yet the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey found that one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or a computer… or may be without both.Click here to view the full article.

Upcoming Events
To learn more about our Workforce Development programs, you can visit any of our WFD sessions and related events. All pertinent information can be found in our calendar of events.
Partner with Us
If you are interested in partnering with HAUL to empower our Workforce Development Program by providing your expertise, resources, and other opportunities for the betterment of our community, please contact Rommell Williams at rwilliams@haul.org.











