Houston can take inspiration from this young professionals workforce development program. Photo via Getty Images

In Appalachia, a region known for its economic highs and lows, CNX is redefining what success looks like for the region. Through its Mentorship Academy, CNX is not just filling jobs, but creating meaningful careers that keep young people rooted in their communities. This program, designed to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, has been a game-changer for students who might otherwise not come across the same opportunities.

For those of us in Houston and across Texas, the CNX Mentorship Academy offers a powerful blueprint that could be replicated in our own communities. The challenges faced by young people in Appalachia — limited career options, economic downturns, and the pressure to leave home in search of better opportunities — are not unique to that region. Here in Texas, particularly in our rural areas and economically challenged neighborhoods, many young people face similar hurdles. But what if we could offer them the same kind of opportunities that CNX is providing in Appalachia?

At a recent graduation event held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the impact of the CNX Mentorship Academy was evident. The students who graduated that day were not just receiving diplomas; they were stepping into new careers and brighter futures. These young people, who had once been uncertain about their paths, are now equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in high-paying jobs within their own communities.

One of the key takeaways from CNX’s approach is the importance of exposure. In many cases, students simply aren’t aware of the opportunities that exist in their own backyard. As industries like coal and automotive have declined in Appalachia, many young people believed their only option was to leave the region or settle for low-paying jobs. The shale revolution, however, has brought new life to the area, particularly in the energy sector. CNX recognized this and decided to use it as a platform to uplift the next generation.

The Mentorship Academy targets students who might not be on the traditional college-bound track. These are the kids who show up to school every day but don’t necessarily have a clear direction. This approach has allowed the program to tap into the potential of students who might otherwise be overlooked.

What truly sets the CNX Mentorship Academy apart is its hands-on approach. The students don’t just learn about career opportunities; they experience them. Whether it’s through site visits, internships, or working directly with mentors from companies like Evolution and CNX, these young people are getting a real taste of what their future could look like. “It's all about exposure. Like, you know, we can pour all the money into the schools you want... but if they don't have the opportunities to actually see it for themselves, experience it for themselves, it doesn't stick,” another speaker emphasized at the event.

The success stories coming out of the CNX Mentorship Academy are inspiring. One graduate, who initially entered the program disengaged and uncertain, has since become one of its biggest advocates. After securing a job with his preferred company, he’s now leading the charge in getting other students involved, showcasing his newfound leadership skills. “You can have multiple dreams... It's just, you know, being willing to take a risk, step outside and try something new,” he said, reflecting on his journey.

For Houston and Texas as a whole, the CNX Mentorship Academy offers a model worth emulating. The program’s success lies not just in its ability to place students in jobs, but in its focus on preparing them for careers that provide stability and growth. By connecting students with local industries and giving them the tools they need to succeed, CNX is helping to ensure that the next generation of workers is both capable and motivated.

The best part? The CNX Mentorship Academy’s blueprint is open-source, designed to be replicated in other regions. “There is no secret sauce. Everything is wide open... So this can be copied and scaled in Colorado or in Texas or anywhere else where you would want to duplicate this,” the program leaders shared.

As Houston continues to grow and evolve, programs like the CNX Mentorship Academy offer a valuable lesson: success isn’t just about getting a job; it’s about building a career and a future that benefits both the individual and the community. By adopting and adapting this model, we can create similar opportunities for our own youth, ensuring that they too have the chance to stay and thrive in their own backyards.

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Julie McLelland is co-founder and head of product at Digital Wildcatters, a Houston-based company creating and cultivating a community for the next generation of energy professionals.

The program touts professional development, B2B networking, and energy transition knowledge as the cohort’s highlights. Photo via Getty Images

Houston organization brings transformative program for energy industry

new to HOU

A new workforce development program has launched for the energy industry.

The Greater Houston Partnership, through its Greater Houston Leadership Institute will introduce a “ transformative 10-week professional development program” called the Houston Energy Leadership Cohort this fall according to the Greater Houston Partnership.

This will be designed for mid-career professionals in the energy sectors, and run from September 10 to November 19 with applications being accepted up until August 9, and will be held virtually and in-person at Partnership Tower and through field visits.

The program promises that professionals will have an opportunity to gain insights into Houston's role in the energy transition, and to build the essential skills for career growth. The Houston Energy Leadership Cohort will be structured to deliver “comprehensive learning and development opportunities through engaging sessions led by industry experts” according to a news release.

Some of the skills that will be explored involve the complexities of the energy landscape, understanding key innovations and how to develop solutions to current industry challenges.

The program touts professional development, B2B networking, and energy transition knowledge as the cohort’s highlights. Expected sessions include:

  • Houston as the Growth Center for the Energy -Future Energy Breakthroughs: Bridges through the Peaks and Valleys of Innovation
  • Capital Formation: Integrating Technology at Scale
  • Operating with Impact: Strengthening Climate Equity and Community Engagement
  • A Dynamic Energy Transition: Career Pivots and Resilience
  • Policies Needed to Help Scale Breakthrough Technology
  • Making the Global Local: Your Part in the Energy Transition
  • Your Future in the Tech-Enabled Economy-Making "Sustainability" Sustainable

The cohort encourages those professionals with 10+ years of experience in the energy field, startup founders or principals in the energy sector, manufacturers, supply chain managers and logistics professionals, energy services professionals, external affairs, corporate affairs and government relations professionals. The cost is $7,000.

“Houston’s talent will play a crucial role in shaping the energy transition,” the GHP said in a news release.

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Houston robotics company unveils extreme-temperature tank robot

hot new robot

Houston- and Boston-based Square Robot Inc.'s newest tank inspection robot is commercially available and certified to operate at extreme temperatures.

The new robot, known as the SR-3HT, can operate from 14°F to 131°F, representing a broader temperature range than previous models in the company's portfolio. According to the company, its previous temperature range reached 32°F to 104°F.

The new robot has received the NEC/CEC Class I Division 2 (C1D2) certification from FM Approvals, allowing it to operate safely in hazardous locations and to perform on-stream inspections of aboveground storage tanks containing products stored at elevated temperatures.

“Our engineering team developed the SR-3HT in response to significant client demand in both the U.S. and international markets. We frequently encounter higher temperatures due to both elevated process temperatures and high ambient temperatures, especially in the hotter regions of the world, such as the Middle East," David Lamont, CEO of Square Robot, said in a news release. "The SR-3HT employs both active and passive cooling technology, greatly expanding our operating envelope. A great job done (again) by our engineers delivering world-leading technology in record time.”

The company's SR-3 submersible robot and Side Launcher received certifications earlier this year. They became commercially available in 2023, after completing initial milestone testing in partnership with ExxonMobil, according to Square Robot.

The company closed a $13 million series B round in December, which it said it would put toward international expansion in Europe and the Middle East.

Square Robot launched its Houston office in 2019. Its autonomous, submersible robots are used for storage tank inspections and eliminate the need for humans to enter dangerous and toxic environments.

Houston oil giant ConocoPhillips will lay off up to 25% of workforce

Workforce News

Oil giant ConocoPhillips is planning to lay off up to a quarter of its workforce, amounting to thousands of jobs, as part of broader efforts from the company to cut costs.

A spokesperson for ConocoPhillips confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday, September 3, noting that 20% to 25% of the company's employees and contractors would be impacted worldwide. ConocoPhillips currently has a global headcount of about 13,000 — meaning that the cuts would impact between 2,600 and 3,250 workers.

“We are always looking at how we can be more efficient with the resources we have,” a ConocoPhillips' spokesperson said via email, adding that the company expects the “majority of these reductions” to take place before the end of 2025.

ConocoPhillips' shares fell 4.3% last week. The Houston-based company's stock now sits at under $95 per share, down nearly 14% from a year ago.

News of the coming layoffs was first reported by Reuters, with anonymous sources telling the outlet that CEO Ryan Lance detailed the plans in a video message earlier Wednesday. In that video, Reuters reported, Lance said the company needed “fewer roles” while he cited rising costs.

Last month, ConocoPhillips reported second-quarter earnings of $1.97 billion. That beat Wall Street expectations, but was down from the nearly $2.33 billion the company reported for the same period last year.

In its latest earnings, reported on August 7, ConocoPhillips continued to point to cost cutting efforts — noting that it had identified more than $1 billion in cost reductions and margin optimization. The company also said it had agreed to sell its Anadarko Basin assets for $1.3 billion.

Engie launches next-generation data center development in Texas

coming soon

Houston-based Engie North America has entered into an agreement with Wyoming-based Prometheus Hyperscale to develop liquid-cooled data centers at select renewable and battery storage energy facilities along Texas’ I-35 corridor. Its first AI-ready data center compute capacity sites are expected to go live in 2026.

“By leveraging our robust portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage assets — combined with our commercial and industrial supply capabilities and deep trading expertise — we're providing integrated energy solutions that support scalable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure," David Carroll, chief renewables officer and SVP of ENGIE North America, said in a news release.

Prometheus plans to use its high-efficiency, liquid-cooled data center infrastructure in conjunction with ENGIE's renewable and battery storage assets. Both companies believe they can meet the growing demand for reliable, sustainable compute capacity, which would support AI and other more demanding workloads.

"Prometheus is committed to developing sustainable, next-generation digital infrastructure for AI," Bernard Looney, chairman of Prometheus Hyperscale, said in the release. "We cannot do this alone—ENGIE's existing assets and expertise as a major player in the global energy transition make them a perfect partner as we work to build data centers that meet market needs today and tomorrow."

On-site power generation provider Conduit Power will assist Prometheus for near-term bridging and back-up solutions, and help tenants to offset project-related carbon emissions through established market-based mechanisms.

More locations are being planned for 2027 and beyond.

"Our collaboration with Prometheus demonstrates our shared approach to finding innovative approaches to developing, building and operating projects that solve real-world challenges,” Carroll added in the release.