Education, Talent & Workforce

Quality early education opportunities are vitally important for the Dallas Region. By enabling parents of young children to participate in the workforce and supporting foundational academic development of students, investments in early education yield both short- and long-term benefits for the local economy. The DRC works alongside regional partners to advance systemic supports in early education and child care.

Through the Best Place for Working Parents® Dallas, a local partner of the Best Place for Working Parents® national initiative, the DRC promotes family-friendly policies in the workplace, such as child care assistance and paid parental leave, and recognizes companies going above-and-beyond in support of working parents.

North Texas’ public school systems are the largest producers of talent in the region, collectively educating more than 1.2 million students. The DRC is focused on ensuring all Dallas Region students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college or a career. The DRC also maintains productive relationships with local public school districts and charter networks to create a bridge between the business and education communities.

The DRC is a strong proponent of public-private partnerships between local companies and schools. From corporate philanthropy and volunteerism to student internships and P-TECH, there is an engagement fit for every business, including our Principal for a Day program, in partnership with Dallas ISD and presented by Capital One.

DFW is the No. 1 region in Texas for higher education, boasting the largest postsecondary enrollment in the state and among the highest graduate retention rates in the country. The DRC partners with regional higher education institutions and community colleges to advance state and federal policy and develop initiatives to meet the evolving demands of the workforce.

Learn more about how Dallas Region higher education institutions and the business community uniquely combine to compete globally in the DRC’s DFW Higher Education Review.

There are thousands of unfilled, living-wage job postings throughout the Dallas Region, driven largely by a disconnect in the skills North Texans have and those needed for open jobs. The DRC collaborates with our member companies to identify pressing industry needs to inform educational offerings and workforce development programs. Say Yes to Dallas is also a DRC initiative to attract and retain talented workers from around the world.

Through Dallas Thrives, the DRC is working to strengthen the talent pipeline in the most in-demand sectors in the Dallas Region’s labor market, health care and technology, by showcasing job postings and promoting free and low-cost training programs. Dallas Thrives is a joint initiative by the DRC and the Commit Partnership, which aims to double living-wage attainment in Dallas within a generation. Explore the 2023 Dallas Thrives Update.

The Dallas Region is also experiencing a rapid expansion in the health care and IT industries. With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the DRC built The DFW Health Care & IT Talent Pipeline to create access to a comprehensive overview of the talent pool in the region, unlocking economic growth opportunities for employers while increasing the living-wage attainment in Dallas. Dive into the data here.

View all our Talent & Workforce Resources.