Gov. Greg Abbott this week rolled out a new statewide Texas Jobs Council, a high-profile effort to confront the growing shortage of skilled trade workers in Texas. Electricians, welders, plumbers, and truck drivers are in increasingly short supply, a trend state officials say is helping drive up construction costs and putting more pressure on already stretched housing budgets. The advisory board held its first meeting at the Governor's Mansion and will guide state leaders on workforce needs and possible policy fixes. Business and labor leaders from oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and unions all have seats at the table.
Launch details and membership
According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, Abbott tapped Brent Taylor of the Teamsters and Megan Mauro of the Texas Association of Business as co-chairs. The roster also includes leaders from manufacturing, oil and gas, construction, and multiple unions. The release lists Scott Norman of the Texas Association of Builders among the appointees and states that the council is expected to deliver a final report in November 2026, outlining recommended executive actions and legislative proposals for the governor and the Legislature.
Builders warn labor gaps are driving up costs
Scott Norman, who represents the state's homebuilders, told Spectrum News that "we need people in our industry of all different types of trades" as Texas continues to add population and jobs. Norman said the labor shortage is one factor pushing construction costs higher and pricing some Texans out of the housing market.
State labor data
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in December 2025, the highest level since January 2022, while Texas added roughly 19,700 nonfarm jobs that month. The agency also reported that the civilian labor force reached a record high as employers across several industries continued hiring.
What the council will focus on
The governor's office says the council will focus on immediate executive actions that could cut regulatory red tape around workforce development, along with policy and legislative recommendations for the 90th Legislature. Supporters on the panel say those moves could speed up apprenticeships, expand industry-recognized credentials, and strengthen hiring pipelines that feed construction and energy projects across Texas. If adopted, the council's recommendations will be reviewed by state agencies and lawmakers.
Looking ahead
The council's final report, due in November 2026, is expected to draw close attention from builders, unions, and lawmakers as they weigh possible training and licensing changes aimed at easing the trades shortage. For now, the lineup of labor and industry leaders on the panel signals a focus on practical, near-term steps to grow the trades workforce and ease some of the upward pressure on housing costs.
