Scott Norman to Help Strengthen State's Workforce Development Initiatives
Scott Norman, CEO of the Texas Association of Builders, has been invited by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on a new advisory council called the Texas Jobs Council to strengthen the state’s workforce development initiatives (see the news release below). The Council will focus on recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness of our workforce system, identifying immediate administrative improvements as well as policy and legislative recommendations for lawmakers to consider in the 90th Texas Legislature.
The Texas Jobs Council will have four work groups, focused on 1) apprenticeships and on-the-job training, 2) workforce pipelines and CTE pathways in high schools, 3) aligning higher education with employer workforce needs, and 4) next generation trades and skills. TAB’s Workforce Development Committee will work to offer advice and recommendations to the Texas Jobs Council over the next several months.
Office of the Texas Governor March 16, 2026 news release:
Governor Greg Abbott today launched the Texas Jobs Council, a new advisory board to strengthen Texas' workforce development initiatives and ensure Texans are prepared to fill the state's growing number of high-demand jobs, following the Council's inaugural meeting at the Governor's Mansion.
"Texas right now is the hottest state in America for business and labor opportunities," said Governor Abbott. "For us to maintain our dominance, business and labor are working together to meet the high demand for high skilled labor, positions like electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, truckers, and a whole lot more. Today, we galvanized that partnership with the launch of the Texas Jobs Council. We are unified on a mission that benefits all Texans. A mission that will keep Texas number one for business, keep Texas number one for jobs, and keep Texas number one for workforce training, ensuring great careers for generations of Texans."
The Governor was joined by Plumbers Local Union 68 Business Manager Wayne Lord, Texas Association of Business Interim President Megan Mauro, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, and other business and labor leaders.
Governor Abbott appointed the following members to the Council:
- Co-Chair, Brent Taylor, VP South Teamsters Local 745 & Teamsters Joint Council 80
- Co-Chair, Megan Mauro, Interim President Texas Association of Business
- Tony Bennett, President Texas Association of Manufacturers
- Todd Staples, President Texas Oil and Gas Association
- Hector Rivero, President Texas Chemistry Council
- Scott Norman, CEO of Texas Association of Builders
- Robert Mele, President Teamsters Local 988
- Robert Wayne, Lord Business Manager Plumbers Local Union 68
- Alan Robb, Assistant General International Longshoremen’s Assoc.
- Lacy Wolf, Local 22 President Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 22
- Mark Maher Jr., Business Manager International Union of Operating Engineers 450
- Bryan Edwards, Business Manager Pipefitters Local Union 211
The Council will focus on:
- Executive actions that can be implemented immediately by state agencies to reduce regulatory burdens and red tape surrounding workforce development
- Policy and legislative recommendations to be presented to the Governor and Legislature ahead of the 90th Legislative Session
The Council will deliver a final report in November 2026 outlining recommended executive actions and legislative proposals to strengthen Texas’ workforce development system.