Q&A with Daniel Uribe, Precinct 2's Workforce Development Program Manager

1. What services does Precinct 2’s Workforce Development division provide the community?

The Harris County Precinct 2 Workforce Development Division focuses on ENGAGING, EDUCATING, and EMPOWERING Harris County Precinct 2 residents by helping them join the workforce. As part of Commissioner Garcia’s Revive2Thrive initiative, this expands opportunities for all those who want to work in Precinct 2. In partnership with non-profits and other agencies, we develop, plan, and implement programs and services that are best practices for obtaining employment.

We provide the following services: creation and review of resume, preparation for interviews, job search assistance, one-on-one employment coaching and assistance completing job applications. We also help our clients acquire the skills they need to retain employment such as how to resolve workplace conflict.

This summer will be the third we run the “Step-Up” Internship Program that hires college students to work in various departments in Precinct 2 and other Harris County offices. Interns placed within Precinct 2 have worked in our community relations, parks, human resources, policy, health services, and veterans departments. It’s exciting to see the interns gain real world experience helping with constituent services while building up their resumes to be more marketable when they enter the labor force full-time.

Our workforce division also runs the Employ2Empower program. This innovative program helps those impacted by homelessness enter or return to the workforce by providing them with a low barrier employment opportunity. We work in collaboration with Career and Recovery Resources and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. To learn more about this program, watch this video! 

2. What programs are launching or expanding in 2022?

This year, we’re launching a workforce development computer lab!

The computers and tools in the lab will be available for career research, completing applications, setting-up an email account, checking and replying to employment-related emails, and creating resumes. This space will also serve as a classroom for our four-day job readiness training and resume and mock interview workshops.

We’re also expanding our partnerships with other county offices and private employers to increase employment opportunities for residents. This year is shaping up to be a great one and we hope you’ll keep an eye out for all the new initiatives from Precinct 2’s Workforce Development Division!

3. What are you most looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to working directly with the residents of Precinct 2 who seek us out and need help. Ultimately, our team is working towards having residents think of Precinct’s Workforce Development program and services as a premier resource for their job search needs and training.

4. What inspires you most about your job?

Changing lives. Specifically, helping people gain employment by using the uplifting and empowering aspects of workforce development. It makes me happy and proud to hear that a person we have worked with has found employment and can provide for themselves. As someone who has experienced unemployment, I understand the feelings associated with not being able to find employment and the frustration that causes. So, partly because of my own unemployment experience, I love helping people resolve those issues by providing services that lead to gaining employment and being able to sustain oneself.

To learn more about Precinct 2's Workforce Development Division programs and services, email workforce@pct2.hctx.net or leave a voicemail at (713) 274-2051 with your name, call back number, and a short message. 

Daniel A. Uribe

Workforce Development Program Manager, Harris County Precinct 2, Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Daniel Alexander Uribe is a workforce development professional with extensive experience working in the nonprofit sector as an administrator and direct social service provider. He has provided services to diverse populations including veterans, opportunity and at-risk youth, and underemployed adults. As a strong believer in the uplifting and community empowering ability of workforce development, Daniel teaches a range of employability skills such as resume writing, mock interviews, job searching, filling out applications, and workplace etiquette.

Daniel was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and immigrated to Houston as a young child. He is a product of HISD and is a member of the first graduating class of the YES Prep Public School System. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas. Daniel has lived in Precinct 2 for 30 years.