BridgeYear Helps Houston Students Close the Workforce Gap

BridgeYear Empowers Houston Students and Employers to Bridge the Workforce Gap: Hands-on training, certifications, and partnerships help connect education to real-world opportunity.

Houston, TX — November 4, 2025 — BridgeYear, a Houston-based nonprofit company dedicated to helping students explore career paths and connect with meaningful employment opportunities, continues to make an impact by closing the gap between education and the workforce. Through its strategic programs—Career Test Drive®, Career Cohorts, and industry-aligned partnerships—BridgeYear is redefining what career readiness looks like for Houston’s youth.

At a time when the future of work is shifting rapidly, students need more than a diploma to succeed. According to Burning Glass Institute, degrees alone no longer guarantee job stability. Employers are increasingly prioritizing practical skills, certifications, and real-world experience. BridgeYear’s mission is to meet that demand head-on—helping students develop the skills they need while giving employers access to a talented, well-prepared workforce.

“We believe every student deserves a clear, achievable path to success,” said Victoria Chen, Co-Founder and Executive Director of BridgeYear. “By partnering directly with employers, schools, and community organizations, we help students discover hands-on, rewarding careers that lead to lasting economic stability.”

Bridging Education and Employment Through Innovation

Since its founding, BridgeYear has built pathways that directly connect students to the workforce through practical, engaging experiences.

• Career Test Drive® Fairs bring the workplace experience to students. These on-campus events transform school gyms into career exploration centers where students try hands-on simulations of high-demand jobs like electrician, auto technician, and medical technician.
• Career Cohorts allow students to earn industry-recognized credentials in as little as 4 to 16 weeks. Partnering with local organizations such as Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM), Wesley Community Center, and Texas Technical Trade School, these programs give graduates the opportunity to start working quickly—often within months.
• Apprenticeship Pathways, like the Automotive Technician Apprenticeship in partnership with Gulf States Toyota and Houston Community College, blend classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training to prepare students for high-demand technical roles.
  Each program is built on one promise: to help students find their purpose, gain confidence, and enter the workforce prepared to succeed.

Turning Donations Into Bright Futures

BridgeYear’s progress is made possible by the generosity of individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations that share its commitment to economic mobility and workforce readiness. Every contribution directly supports programs that give students access to training, exploration, and guidance.

Corporate Partnerships: Building the Future Workforce Together

BridgeYear’s partnerships with major Houston employers demonstrate the power of collaboration between education and industry.
By sponsoring Career Test Drive® simulations and offering apprenticeships, companies like Memorial Hermann, Gulf States Toyota, H-E-B, and Phillips 66 are directly investing in the next generation of skilled professionals. These relationships help employers address workforce shortages while providing students with clear, practical career paths.
 

On another milestone, 23 BridgeYear students graduated from Texas Technical Trade School last October 2025, earning electrical certifications and beginning careers as apprentices. These students are now working in stable, high-demand industries—proof that skill-based learning can transform lives and communities.

A Collaborative Approach to Workforce Readiness

BridgeYear’s programs align with the insights shared in a recent report by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, which emphasizes the importance of growing local talent in Houston’s workforce. The report highlights how cultivating homegrown professionals—through early career exposure, training, and partnerships—can strengthen both communities and industries.

BridgeYear’s model delivers exactly that: a proven approach to bridging the education-to-employment gap by supporting students, engaging employers, and empowering educators.
 

About BridgeYear

BridgeYear connects youth to meaningful careers and educational pathways that lead to economic stability and independence. BridgeYear ensures that every high school graduate has a clear path to employment and understands the many career options that don’t require a college degree, with the goal of all students graduating with purpose, confidence, and the knowledge to build a stable, successful future. 
To learn more, visit www.BridgeYear.org.

Media Contact Person:
BridgeYear
Contact Person: Jocelyne Trevino
Phone: (832) 579-0294

Website: https://www.bridgeyear.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeYearProgram/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeyear/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgeyear

Media Contact

Organization: BridgeYear

Contact Person: Jocelyne Trevino

Website: https://www.bridgeyear.org/

Email:
[email protected]

Contact Number: +18325790294

Address:3414 Eastside St.

City: Houston

State: TX

Country:United States

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