TAM Leadership and Governor Abbott Highlight Texas Manufacturing

AUSTIN - Texas manufacturing was front and center this week as Governor Abbott convened the Texas Jobs Council members for a workforce update, proclaimed Manufacturing Week in Texas, and celebrated the occasion at an event in Beaumont. Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) President and CEO Tony Bennett and Executive Vice President and General Counsel Wroe Jackson were on hand at each to deliver remarks highlighting the importance of manufacturing and the high-quality jobs the sector supports.

Texas Jobs Council Update, Proclamation of Manufacturing Week in Texas

In Austin, TAM President and CEO Tony Bennett joined fellow members of the Texas Jobs Council at the Governor's Mansion to brief Governor Abbott on the Council's work to build the state's skilled workforce.

As a member of the Jobs Council, Tony brings the voice of Texas manufacturing directly into the state's most important workforce conversation.

"Every plant that chooses Texas needs skilled people to build it, run it and maintain it. Right now, Texas manufacturers have more jobs than skilled workers to fill them," said Benentt. "Governor Abbott set out to address this need when he created the Texas Jobs Council and brought business and labor together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in how Texas develops talent."

The skilled trades at the center of the Council's work are the backbone of manufacturing operations across Texas. The Council's early recommendations reflect priorities TAM members have long championed: clearer pathways into high-demand jobs, earlier career training for students, and stronger workforce readiness. Those recommendations will shape the Council's final report to the 90th Legislature.

TAM President and CEO Tony Bennett joins Governor Greg Abbott as he signs a proclamation declaring October 2-9 Manufacturing Week in Texas. Photo courtesy of Office the Texas Governor.

Manufacturing Week at Beaumont Manufacturing & Distribution

To kick off Manufacturing Week in Texas, TAM Executive Vice President and General Counsel Wroe Jackson joined Governor Abbott in Beaumont at a roundtable event, alongside other business, industry and economic development leaders. Wroe's remarks acknowledged the need to close the middle-skill gap to meet manufacturing workforce demands and reinforced the many opportunities for people working in or training for a career in advanced manufacturing.

"When you think about the future of the Texas economy, it's bright for manufacturing," said Jackson. "It's an exciting time to be a manufacturer in Texas - it's a really exciting time to be a young person in manufacturing in Texas."

Gov. Greg Abbott at a Manufacturing Week event in Beaumont. Photo courtesy of Office the Texas Governor.

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About the Texas Association of Manufacturers

The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) actively represents the interests and priorities of more than 600 member companies in Austin and in Washington, D.C. Manufacturers in Texas account for 11.44 percent of the total output in the state - more than $331.9 billion - and employ more than 981,100 Texans in jobs that pay an average compensation of over $118,000 annually. On average, each manufacturing job created also provides five additional jobs in our communities. For two decades, Texas remains the number one exporting state for manufactured goods in the United States. Follow TAM on Facebook and X.