2026 Talent OUTFront Employer Interest Survey

Presented by Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber Foundation | Talent OUTFront Initiative

Talent OUTFront is a workforce development initiative designed to connect forward-thinking employers with emerging talent across the Greater Houston Area LGBTQ+ community. As an Employer Partner, your organization plays a vital role in shaping career pathways, mentorship opportunities, and workforce readiness for our community. This survey helps us understand your organization's current capacity, goals, and areas of interest so we can match you with the right programming, candidates, and resources. Please complete all sections to the best of your ability. Your responses are confidential and will only be used to strengthen your partnership experience.

Fields marked with an * are required.

Organizational Overview

Organization *

Primary Contact Name and Title *

Work Phone Number *

Email *

Industry / Sector *

Number of Employees (check one) *

Does your organization operate in multiple locations? *

If yes, how many locations?

Hiring & Workforce Needs

Are you currently hiring or anticipating hiring within the next 12 months? *

What types of positions are you most frequently hiring for? (Check all that apply)

Entry-level / No experience required

Skilled trades

Technical / IT

Healthcare

Administrative / Clerical

Management / Leadership

Other (enter below)

Other (types of positions):

What are your top three workforce challenges? (Rank 1–3, with 1 being most critical) *

Finding qualified candidates *	Skills gaps in applicants *	Diversity in the applicant pool *	Employee retention *	Onboarding / training capacity *	Other (enter below) *

Other (top three workforce challenges):

Are there specific credentials, certifications, or skills you wish more applicants had?

Do you offer any pathways for candidates without a four-year degree? *

Internship & Experiential Learning Readiness

Does your organization currently offer internships or work-based learning opportunities? *

If yes, how many interns or apprentices do you typically host per year?

What type of experiences can your organization offer? (Check all that apply)

Job shadowing

Paid internships

Unpaid internships

Apprenticeships

Project-based learning

Mentorship

Site tours / employer panels

Are your internship / work-based opportunities available to:

High school students

College students

Both

Would you be open to hosting a student for a project, capstone or short-term engagement (4–8 weeks)? *

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

Does your organization have a formal inclusion policy or commitment statement? *

Does your organization actively recruit from underrepresented populations? (Check all that apply) *

Veterans

Individuals with disabilities

Returning citizens (justice-involved)

LGBTQ+ community

Immigrants / refugees

Opportunity youth (ages 16-24 not in school or work)

None currently

Do you offer any equity-focused hiring practices? *

(e.g., blind resume review, fair chance hiring, bilingual job postings)

Is your organization interested in receiving guidance or resources on equitable hiring practices? *

(Including LGBTQ+ Inclusion)

Engagement & Partnership Opportunities

Other (how to engage with Talent OUTFront)

How many hours per month is your team realistically available to engage with this initiative? *

Are you interested in being featured in Chamber communications? *

(newsletter, social media, spotlight)

Are there specific schools, colleges, or training programs you would like to build a pipeline with?

Training & Professional Development

Does your organization currently offer internal training or professional development programs? *

Would you be open to co-developing or co-sponsoring a training curriculum with Talent OUTFront? *

Are there topics where you believe regional job seekers are underprepared? (Check all that apply) *

Professional communication

Digital literacy / technology skills

Industry-specific technical skills

Workplace culture and expectations

Financial literacy

Leadership and teamwork

Other (enter below)

Other (job seekers underprepared)

Would you be willing to host a training session, workshop, or "lunch & learn" at your site? *

Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking (Optional)
This section is optional and helps us ensure candidates entering the workforce have realistic expectations and that regional wages are competitive. Responses are confidential.

What is the typical starting wage range for entry-level positions at your organization?

Please enter answer in this format:

$ to $ per hour / year

Do you offer benefits to entry-level employees? (Check all that apply)

Health insurance

Dental / Vision

Paid time off

Retirement / 401k

Tuition assistance

Transportation stipend

Childcare assistance

None currently

Do you offer any incentives for longevity or performance milestones?

Are wages at your organization competitive with regional market rates?

Feedback & Additional Comments

What motivated you to explore becoming a Talent OUTFront Employer Partner?

What does a successful partnership look like to your organization?

Is there anything you wish workforce development programs understood better about employers?

Do you have any questions, concerns, or specific requests for us?

2026 Talent OUTFront Employer Interest Survey

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