agchouston.org Winter2025–2026Cornerstone3 F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T / C E O Kyle Holland President/CEO, AGC Houston Texas doesn’t build itself — the future of our industry depends on the investments we make in people today. I F YOU’VE BEEN READING MY COL- umns, you know I talk a lot about engagement, value and the great things happening within our Chap- ter. This time, I want to look at the future of our industry and the people who will be building it … literally. One of the biggest wins from this past legislative session was the bill that placed Proposition 1 on the ballot in November. Prop 1 dedicates major funding to the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) system to expand facilities and increase training capacity across the state. Thanks to your advocacy and support at the ballot box, Texas now has a clearer path to strengthening the technical education pipeline. And trust me, your impact was real. Member support and advocacy played a critical role in getting this across the finish line. So yes, take a moment to pat yourself on the back and tell your coworkers you helped pass a constitu- tional amendment. You earned it! As TSTC begins putting the new funding to work and rolling out updates to its programs, we’ve already started conversations with their team — espe- cially around the new Construction Management program at the Fort Bend campus. They’re excited, we’re excited and there’s a significant opportunity for AGC Houston members to help shape the future talent pipeline. Our role in this partnership is straight- forward but important: Connect TSTC students to the real world of commercial construction trades. We’ll work closely with faculty to provide industry expo- sure, company contacts and to clear pathways for students to engage directly with our members. These students are eager to learn, and our companies are looking for well-prepared talent. As the program ramps up, we’re helping bridge that gap. Building the future workforce doesn’t fall on one organization alone. I’m for- tunate to serve on the boards of both the Construction Career Collaborative (C3) and the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) Houston Chapter — two groups supporting craft training and workforce development from complementary angles. C3’s mission centers on the import- ant goal of creating a safe, skilled and sustainable craft workforce. C3 is helping ensure the trades remain a viable, respected career path for the next generation by strengthening jobsite culture, raising standards and promoting long-term careers in craft professions. AGC Houston is proud to support that mission and proud of how closely it aligns with our own efforts. CIEF Houston, meanwhile, focuses on connecting the classroom to the industry by literally showing students what con- struction looks, sounds and feels like. Their annual Houston Trades Day in October was a massive success. More than 1,000 students attended … yes, 1,000 teenagers are actively interested in our industry! Anyone who has ever tried to get a teenager excited about something other than TikTok knows that’s an achieve- ment worth celebrating. The energy was incredible. Students were welding pipe, operating equipment, talking with craft professionals and seeing firsthand that our industry offers real opportunities. It was one of those events that leaves you feeling optimistic — not because the workforce challenge was solved in a day, but because you could see new inter- est being sparked right in front of you. And, thanks to partners like CIEF and C3, we’re helping ensure those sparks continue to burn into the future of our craft workforce As we look ahead, I hope each of you will consider how your company can connect with these efforts. Whether it’s partnering with TSTC, supporting C3 initiatives, participating in CIEF events or simply sharing your story with the next generation, your involvement matters. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Texas doesn’t build itself. The future of our industry depends on the investments we make in people today. Thank you for all you do and for your continued commitment to strengthening our workforce. Because of your efforts, the future of construction in our region looks incredibly bright. Where the Next Generation of Builders Begins
