Workforce in Brownsville, Texas Strengthened by Rally in the Valley 3.0

Brownsville, Texas, hit a new milestone in workforce development by bringing together over 450 middle and high school students with 50 companies and industries during the "Rally in the Valley 3.0" event, organized by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC).

Karla de la Riva, Director of Workforce and Business Development at GBIC, explained that this initiative aims to connect students with companies before they graduate, allowing them to acquire the skills and knowledge needed in the job market, as well as fostering connections for the growth of the productive sector. "By connecting students with employers, we contribute to economic development and job creation; university students who already have knowledge are linked with companies for part-time or full-time collaboration, while younger students gain interest in employment and their preparation, and also access incentives in their academic or professional training."

Another key objective of the event is to increase the number of jobs in Brownsville and strengthen professionals with new knowledge, which is why they work in coordination with various universities and academic training centers in South Texas.

De la Riva noted that this is the third edition of the Rally, and attendance records have been consistently increasing. In the first year, 200 students participated, and in the second, 300. Therefore, the attendance of 450 in 2024 is considered a record and a boost for the entire region.

Among the participating companies are those that offer higher-paying jobs, such as those in manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, medical, oil, gas, and petroleum production, as well as goods, services, and commerce.

Attraction of Investments The director commented that Brownsville's workforce is positioned as one of the main competitive advantages in attracting investments. "Our population is young, with an average age of 29, which facilitates learning and training processes, and availability is immediate. Companies can find exactly what they are looking for here in Brownsville because the curriculum is tailored to their needs."

Karla de la Riva holds a master's degree in business administration, with a focus on health through Texas A&M University. She is currently part of various boards and advisory committees, which facilitates engagement with business and academic hubs. In an interview with Mexico Industry, she emphasized that, in the past two years, with the GBIC team, they have secured $4.5 million in training to support the training needs of companies.