As construction continues to surge across Texas, most companies struggle to fill skilled trade positions.
“When you think about what’s happening with the lack of trades, that’s the thing I really want our state to realize: that we have got to do a better job of outreach,” said Meloni Raney, President and CEO of TEXO. “I think we do a phenomenal job with training, but what we’re not doing well right now is outreach to high school students, and even middle school students, so they understand that this is an amazing higher education opportunity.”
To help attract a new generation to the industry, TEXO spearheaded an effort to bring the Be Pro Be Proud initiative to Texas. Created by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, the workforce development effort is designed to change perceptions about the pursuit of technical careers as options of first choice, not last resort.
Mobile labs, housed in specially fitted semi-truck trailers, now operate in Arkansas and seven other states, showing measurable results — around 80 percent of students who visited the Be Pro Be Proud trucks noted improvements in attitudes and intentions about skilled trade careers.
The Be Pro Be Proud truck will officially launch in North Texas in September 2026.
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| Nichols Fleet Equipment |
| Nichols Fleet Equipment |
| Nichols Fleet Equipment |
| Nichols Fleet Equipment |
Interest in the initiative began when a TEXO member visited a Be Pro Be Proud truck in Arkansas a few years ago.
“He came back and said, ‘We have got to have one of these in Texas,’” Raney said. “The demand for it in high schools is overwhelming, and it gives students a hands-on look at what it means to be in construction.”
With the TEXO Foundation focused on workforce development, the board fully supported the effort and outreach began to potential donors. As of spring 2026, the effort had raised $1.8 million.
“It’s proof that people are ready to see something different when it comes to career exploration with construction,” Raney said.
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| Clark Machinery |
| Clark Machinery |
| Clark Machinery |
| Clark Machinery |
Donors include Meta; Procore Technologies; the Dallas chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors; Dallas College Foundation; private family foundations; and construction companies, including Skanska USA.
“The mission of Be Pro Be Proud resonates deeply with our team,” said Kimberly Burke, Skanska’s Senior Vice President. “Their work raises awareness around the value of the skilled trades and highlights the wide range of meaningful, hands‑on career opportunities available in construction. We’re proud to be involved with an organization that is actively shaping the future workforce, strengthening our industry, and making a lasting impact on students and communities across Texas."
In 2025, the Dallas College Foundation donated $250,000 to the effort.
“We quickly got on board because we saw this as an opportunity to expose not only high schoolers, but adults looking for alternative career pathways,” said Dr. Rick Smith, President of Dallas College’s North Lake Campus. “That’s what we’re all about — trying to give people pathways to career opportunities and well-paying jobs. It lined up exactly with what the Dallas College Foundation is all about, and that’s bridging the skills gaps in North Texas.”
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| CLM Equipment Co |
| CLM Equipment Co |
| CLM Equipment Co |
| CLM Equipment Co |
The fundraising made it possible to outfit a Be Pro Be Proud truck like those in other states.
The semi-truck trailer with expandable sides houses immersive virtual and augmented reality simulators including:
- Crane operator
- Heavy equipment, including an excavator
- Welding
- Carpentry
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Fiber optic technician
- Commercial truck driver
- Diesel technician
- 3D printer
“I call it a career fair on wheels,” Smith said. “It’s a great way to expose people to different pathways that they might not otherwise know. To get on the truck and actually be able to use some of the simulators to work the machinery, to be able to see, ‘I really enjoy this’ or ‘I can do this’ or ‘I want to learn more’ — talking about it is one thing, but doing it is something different.”
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| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
| Kirby-Smith Machinery |
In addition to the simulators, “A smart board will connect visitors with training opportunities in Dallas/Fort Worth and with companies that are hiring and will put them through training,” Raney said. “They can enter their information to be sent to these entities. We’re going to be the catalyst between the students and the training entities and employers.”
Initially, the truck will be parked at the Dallas College Coppell Center in Coppell, Texas, which houses the school’s construction programs. Groups from high schools, churches, nonprofits, and other organizations will be able to schedule hands-on tours.
Eventually, the truck will travel to high school campuses, fairs, and other events.
“I think people oftentimes think if I fail at everything else, I can get into construction,” Raney said. “We just have to do a better job of telling about the amazing career opportunities. When you look at what’s happening with the Texas economy right now, it’s on the backs of construction.”
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| Laser Specialist inc |
| Laser Specialist inc |
| Laser Specialist inc |
| Laser Specialist inc |
However, the construction boom exacerbates labor shortages.
“I hope the state of Texas sees this as an opportunity to help these students with career exploration, because the growth we’ve experienced in our state is unbelievable, and if we don’t start getting more electricians, HVAC, and other trades, I just think the demand is going to be something we’ve never seen before — and not in a good way.”
