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.

BridgeYear Redefines Career Readiness

Houston, TX — November 4, 2025 — BridgeYear, a Houston-based nonprofit 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 means for Houston’s youth.

Today, the future of work is evolving faster than ever. Students need more than a diploma to succeed. According to the Burning Glass Institute, degrees alone no longer guarantee job stability. Employers now prioritize practical skills, certifications, and real-world experience. BridgeYear is meeting that demand head-on. The organization helps students build strong skills while giving employers access to talented, work-ready candidates.

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

Hands-On Learning And Pathways

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

• Career Test Drive® Fairs bring workplace environments to schools. These events transform gymnasiums into hands-on career exploration centers where students simulate high-demand jobs such as 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 like Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM), Wesley Community Center, and Texas Technical Trade School, BridgeYear gives graduates the opportunity to begin working quickly—often within a few months.

Apprenticeships Strengthen Workforce Skills

• Apprenticeship Pathways, including the Automotive Technician Apprenticeship with Gulf States Toyota and Houston Community College, combine classroom learning with paid on-the-job training. These programs prepare students for high-demand technical careers while ensuring they earn as they learn.

Each initiative is built on a simple promise: to help students discover their purpose, build confidence, and enter the workforce fully prepared to thrive.

BridgeYear’s achievements are powered by generous support from donors, foundations, and corporate partners that share its mission. Every contribution helps expand access to training, exploration, and guidance for Houston’s youth.

Collaboration Builds Houston’s Future

BridgeYear’s partnerships with major Houston employers demonstrate how collaboration between education and industry can transform communities. Companies such as Memorial Hermann, Gulf States Toyota, H-E-B, and Phillips 66 sponsor Career Test Drive® simulations and apprenticeships, directly investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.

These relationships help employers reduce workforce shortages while providing students with clear, practical career paths. Recently, 23 BridgeYear students graduated from Texas Technical Trade School, earning electrical certifications and launching careers as apprentices. Their success proves that skill-based learning can transform lives and strengthen the local economy.

Bridging Education and Employment

BridgeYear’s programs reflect insights from a Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research report emphasizing the importance of developing local talent in Houston’s workforce. The study highlights how early exposure, technical training, and strong partnerships help communities and industries grow together.

BridgeYear’s model delivers on that vision. It provides a proven way to bridge the education-to-employment gap by empowering students, engaging employers, and equipping educators to drive real change.

About BridgeYear

BridgeYear connects youth to meaningful careers and educational pathways that lead to economic stability and independence. The organization ensures that every high school graduate has a clear path to employment and understands the variety of options that don’t require a college degree. Its mission is to help every student graduate with purpose, confidence, and the knowledge needed to build a secure and 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

Company Details

Organization: BridgeYear

Contact Person: Jocelyne Trevino

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

Email: info@bridge-year.org

Contact Number: +18325790294

Address: 3414 Eastside St.

City: Houston

State: TX

Country: United States

Release Id: 04112536528