After decades championing college access for underserved communities, educator Mike Feinberg has pivoted toward developing comprehensive career training programs that better align with workforce needs and student outcomes.
“Higher education is a victim of other industries where, when demand far outstrips supply, you stop caring about your customers,” observes Feinberg, reflecting on how escalating college costs have transformed the risk-benefit analysis for many students.
This realization prompted him to establish Texas School Venture Fund in 2018, focused on developing specialized educational models addressing diverse student needs and economic realities.
The fund’s signature initiative, WorkTexas, launched in 2020 providing free instruction in trades ranging from electrical work and welding to medical assistance and culinary arts. The program now operates from multiple locations, serving both high school students and adults seeking career transitions.
What distinguishes Feinberg’s approach is its comprehensive ecosystem addressing barriers to sustainable employment. Through partnerships with childcare providers, housing resources, and healthcare organizations, his initiatives create a coordinated support network extending well beyond classroom instruction.
“We need all those different supports to exist, but we can’t do them all because no one can be good at all those things,” explains the vocational training advocate. “How do you create a sandbox where everyone is working together?”
This integrated approach has yielded impressive results. Approximately 70% of WorkTexas graduates secure employment with an average starting wage substantially above minimum wage, and the program’s five-year follow-up commitment helps ensure sustainable career progression.
Through initiatives spanning early childhood through adult education, Feinberg demonstrates how educational institutions can evolve beyond singular focus on college preparation to create diverse pathways to economic mobility that better serve student needs while addressing critical workforce shortages.