Launching January 2026 · Texas Pilot
Building Skills. Building Futures.

Skilled‑trade careers, within reach of every rural Texas student

BuildBright gives high schoolers a clear path to good‑paying work—without years of college debt. Create a mobile portfolio, match with nearby employers, and learn exactly which skills and certifications open doors.

Students welding in shop class

Why BuildBright exists

For rural and small-town Texas sophomores: curious, hands‑on, ready to earn—but missing a bridge to real employers. BuildBright brings visibility to local jobs and apprenticeships, clarity on requirements, and a simple portfolio students and parents can trust.

Students welding

See real opportunities

Local apprenticeships and part-time roles in one place—no more word-of-mouth only.

Students networking

Grow your network

Connect beyond parents’ or teachers’ contacts with verified employers and programs.

Career planning

Clarity on requirements

Know the certifications, tools, and training to get hired—before you apply.

How BuildBright works

  • Mobile portfolio: photos/videos from shop class, FFA, 4-H, or CTE; badges and certifications.
  • Local job matching: apprenticeships and entry roles from nearby employers only.
  • Career path snapshots: earnings, training time, and required skills for each trade.
  • Parent dashboard: progress and safety visibility for families.
  • Financial planner: see startup costs for tools/courses vs. projected earnings.
Student updating a skills portfolio

Priority Employer Segments in Texas

We start where demand is strongest and youth pathways are clearest.

Utilities & Energy — transmission lines

Utilities & Energy

Example: CenterPoint plans ~800 hires by 2030, incl. 200 lineworkers in near-term. Houston demand is surging. Why BuildBright: direct access to young, local talent.

Construction & Infrastructure — cranes and development

Construction & Infrastructure

Firms like Crossland Heavy Contractors operate across industrial, commercial, and public works. Why BuildBright: steady apprentice pipelines for large projects.

Manufacturing — shop floor

Manufacturing & Industrial

Hubs in Brownsville–Harlingen and McAllen attract major players. Why BuildBright: surface machinists, welders, and general technicians fast.

Skilled trades — welding, HVAC, electrical, plumbing

Skilled Trades (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, CNC)

High demand statewide; many apprenticeships start ~$18–$30+/hr across Dallas, Austin, San Antonio. Why BuildBright: match student profiles to high-pay roles.

Program orientation

Staffing & Apprenticeship Programs

Agencies recruit across mechanics, HVAC, heavy equipment, and CNC; the Texas Workforce Commission supports registered programs. Why BuildBright: efficient youth outreach at scale.

Texas Pilot & Market Opportunity

Texas leads the nation in construction and infrastructure growth — creating a deep labor gap for general contractors and trades. We launch where impact is highest and talent stays local when shown viable paths.

+42,300

Construction jobs added Sep ’23–Sep ’24 (~5.1% growth).

Local first

Rural students are likelier to stay when they see strong options at home.

Pilot Jan 2026

Prove outcomes in Texas, expand regionally, then scale nationwide.

Student Experience & Rewards

Engagement that builds real-world skills and signals job-readiness to employers.

Daily check-ins & streaks

Earn points, climb leaderboards, and keep skill building consistent.

Project posts

Share builds with photos/videos; turn class work into a searchable portfolio.

Education paths

Bite-sized content mapped to each trade’s path and required skills.

Company leaderboards

Employers see who’s most engaged and ready for apprenticeships.

Assessments

Sophomore-year DISC + career fit helps guide choices early.

Scholarships

Starter help for tools or short trainings to kick off work.

Lean Start-Up Strategy

We’ll develop Texas case studies first, then expand regionally before going national. Focus is on employer value, student outcomes, and repeatable placement wins.

  • Target high-demand trades and proven employer partners.
  • Iterate portfolio + matching features with pilot schools.
  • Publish placement & earnings case studies to fuel expansion.

Funding & Sponsorships

$50k

Estimated start-up cost

$25k

Off-shore web development

$25k

Other expenses

Sponsorships

Financial institutions & employers help fund scholarships, tools, and early cohorts.

Join the Texas pilot

Students, parents, employers, and schools—join the waitlist for early access.

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