BridgeYear Tackles Houston Youth Wage Gap with Postsecondary Pathways Conference 2026

December 15, 2025 at 08:02 AM EST

Hundreds of educators, industry leaders, and workforce partners to unite for actionable solutions to the region’s skilled labor and opportunity youth challenges.

Houston, TX, United States, 15th Dec 2025 – Despite Houston’s thriving economy, tens of thousands of young adults are falling behind. New research from Good Reason Houston shows that 80% of local public school graduates are not earning a living wage by their late 20s. To address this urgent challenge, BridgeYear is convening the 6th Annual Postsecondary Pathways Conference (PPC 2026) on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at The KBC Houston.

Presented by ConocoPhillips and hosted in collaboration with the Greater Houston Partnership and Good Reason Houston, the conference will bring together educators, counselors, workforce development leaders, and industry executives to explore actionable strategies for helping students access high-growth, in-demand careers.

Confronting the Living Wage Gap

Houston’s economic growth is not reaching all young adults. Many students leave high school without clear pathways into middle-skill, high-wage careers in sectors such as healthcare, energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing.

“Eighty percent of our graduates not earning a living wage is a clear signal that we need new strategies,” said Victoria Chen, BridgeYear’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. “At PPC 2026, educators and counselors will learn about the trends shaping Houston’s workforce and gain practical guidance to help students navigate pathways to stable, high-wage careers.”

BridgeYear Postsecondary Pathways Conference

Building the Workforce of the Future

PPC 2026 brings together leaders from the public, private, and social sectors to address Houston’s workforce challenges. ConocoPhillips, as the presenting sponsor, demonstrates the business community’s commitment to ensuring that workforce development begins in the K-12 system.

The conference theme, “Building the Workforce of the Future,” emphasizes long-term strategic alignment. Panelists and speakers will offer insights on:

Emerging workforce trends: Identifying the skills and roles that will be in demand over the next 10 to 20 years.
Data-driven planning: Sharing research and interactive dashboards that help educators pinpoint gaps and guide students effectively.
Vetted career pathways: Highlighting apprenticeships, certifications, and short-term programs that provide debt-free access to high-wage careers.

Attendees will leave with practical tools to support students in navigating pathways beyond a traditional four-year degree, including BridgeYear’s signature programs: Career Test Drive® Fair, MorePathways®, and Career Cohorts.

Impact for Opportunity Youth

The conference places a special focus on Opportunity Youth—young adults neither in school nor employed. BridgeYear’s model demonstrates that short-term certifications and apprenticeships can provide students immediate access to high-demand careers, creating both stability and economic mobility.

Success stories, such as the Gulf States Toyota-funded Automotive Technician Apprenticeship, illustrate that earning while learning is a scalable solution to the living wage crisis. By equipping educators with the knowledge to promote these options confidently, PPC 2026 aims to reduce the number of Opportunity Youth in the region.

About BridgeYear

BridgeYear is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to connecting underserved youth to careers that offer economic stability and upward mobility. Through partnerships with school districts, community organizations, and employers, BridgeYear ensures young adults have the guidance and access necessary to launch successful careers in high-growth industries.

Learn more at www.BridgeYear.org.

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