By: Anthony Advincula
In a Q&A, the chairman and co-founder of Southwest Management District says Houston is set for job growth due to Texas being the top state for income tax incentives, attracting international companies.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and growing adoption of automation has contributed to labor-market disruptions in Houston and throughout Texas, particularly in occupations involving routine administrative, customer-service, retail, and support functions.
Workers of color, including Latino, Black and Asian, are over-represented in many of these occupations. As a result, they face a greater risk of AI-related displacement, exacerbating existing racial and occupational inequities.
Communities with fewer opportunities for restraining and career advancement struggle to transition into today’s emerging job markets. But Houston job fairs, like the 2026 Houston Career Fair on Tuesday, August 18, seek to fill these employment gaps and boost further the local economy.
This Career Fair is hosted by the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (TCCGH), Taiwanese Junior Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (TJCCGH), and Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of North America.
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Kenneth Li serves as the president of the Taiwanese Career Alliance Houston, Texas, and is the chairman/co-founder of Southwest Management District, home ot Houston’s Chinatown. He helped to develop Houston’s Chinatown. Since the 1980s, he has played a pivotal role in developing Houston’s Chinatown from its inception into a vibrant hub of commerce, culture, and community, ultimately becoming one of the largest Chinatowns in the country.
Li recently sat for an interview on the importance of job fairs for workers and the economic advantages they bring to Houston, particularly to its vibrant and robust immigrant and local communities. Following is a transcript of that interview, edited slightly for length and clarity.
HOUSTON COMMUNITY MEDIA (HCOMM): What makes this job fair unique as compared to others in the Houston area? Tell us more: what is the primary objective of this career event?
KENNETH LI (KL): What makes this event crucial is the growth of the economy in Houston, Texas. Many new companies from Taiwan, South Korea, and other parts of Asia and the world are coming to Texas and across the United States. They are not only bringing capital but also creating jobs.
Texas is the number one state they are considering because it has several advantages, such as no state income tax and various incentives for manufacturing. As a result, we have seen an influx of companies coming to Houston. At the same time, there are still many people seeking jobs, which is a natural outcome of this economic growth.
In the upcoming year, we hope that this job fair will help us create a database and establish mutual ground for all professionals to connect with job seekers. This includes not only graduates from colleges and professional schools but also individuals who have been laid off due to AI advancements and others who are changing their careers.
There are numerous job opportunities available, which is why we organized this event. So far, we have received a tremendous response, and the feedback has been positive. We plan to continue with these efforts.
HCOMM: Who should attend this job fair, and why is it important for them to be there? Is this event open only to people from the Southwest District, or can others attend as well? I want to ensure that everyone understands this.
KL: This event is open to everyone, not just individuals from the Southwest District. We reach out to universities such as UT Austin, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston. So, who should attend? Anyone looking for a job!
Employers from various sectors are seeking candidates, including those in hardware and manufacturing, engineering, software, systems research and development, AI, information technology supply chain and procurement management, production operations, finance, HR, management, business development, and global operations.
It covers all the bases—companies also need basic employees like janitors and cleaning staff. If you’re looking for a job opportunity or considering a job change, you should consider coming here. You can meet with HR representatives and submit your resume. Who knows, you might find a job opportunity!
It’s a free event, with no admission fee. Anyone can attend, and there are no entry requirements. The career fair will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with attendees arriving and leaving throughout the day. We encourage participants to register ahead of time: https://twcareeralliancehtx.com/job-application/
HCOMM: How many companies are you expecting to be there? Who are the big players? What job positions are on the line? Would government jobs be available?
KL: Our goal is to secure participation from at least 60 employers who can collectively provide about 5,000 jobs. We hope this job fair will help us build a database and create a network where HR professionals can connect with job seekers. This includes not only recent graduates from colleges and professional schools but also individuals who have been laid off due to AI advancements and those who are changing careers.
There are a wide variety of job opportunities available, which is why we organized this event. So far, the response has been tremendous.
Since space is limited, we have invited various companies, including government jobs and colleges, as they provide job seekers with opportunities. We have employers from different sectors, such as restaurants like Panda Express, supermarkets like Walmart, and many others.
In addition, we want to introduce Taiwanese companies that may be unfamiliar to many Americans. These companies are significant players in their industries, such as Foxconn, which manufactures products for major brands like Apple, as well as Inventac and Cooler Master. While these companies are based in Asia, they are expanding to Texas and the United States.
For instance, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and its supply chain partners are looking for sites and employees here. We aim to connect these companies with potential employees while also raising awareness about them in the mainstream community. This way, when job seekers are looking for opportunities, they will have a better understanding of who these companies are and what they offer.
HCOMM: If someone has a past record, whether criminal or otherwise, and now they want to start fresh, are they encouraged to attend this job fair?
KL: That’s a great question! Most employers will have their HR representatives manage these types of inquiries. Each company has its own policies and regulations regarding applications. This means that applying to more positions can increase your chances of success. Additionally, we are inviting the Texas Workforce Commission to offer advice and support. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to them if they need assistance.
HCOMM: Immigration is currently a significant concern. Will companies ask applicants for work documentation right away? Additionally, how will you ensure the safety of attendees at the career fair? This is likely to be one of the biggest fears for a public event like this.
KL: Of course, applicants need to be legal residents. When applying for a job, employers will typically ask if you have a green card, are a citizen, or have a specific type of visa that permits you to work. This is basic information required during the application process.
At the same time, some companies may consider hiring international students and offer them practical training or temporary visas. That’s why we also have immigration attorneys on-site; they are available to provide their legal services, along with accountants who may also be offering assistance.
It’s a good idea to reach out and request information, especially considering that international companies often have the capacity to employ international students. These companies may be more familiar with students from their home countries, which can be advantageous.
We did not invite ICE to the event intentionally, as this gathering is designed for individuals who are seeking jobs. I assume that anyone looking for employment must have a valid visa or legal status. To secure a job, they would at least need a Social Security number or a tax ID number.
HCOMM: Ken, right now, even DACA residents, who have legal authorization to work, could be at risk of being picked up by immigration or ICE.
KL: That’s a valid concern. Again, we can say that we didn’t invite immigration authorities or ICE representatives.
This is a straightforward job fair where both employers and job seekers typically attend. It’s important for everyone to bring their own documents.
HCOMM: So, are we expecting this career fair to be an annual event?
KL: Yes, we hope to hold it at least once a year. This is the first time we’re doing it, but it’s quite popular and in demand. Given the current job market, it’s essential to have continuous hiring. That’s our plan.
I believe that for the city’s economy to thrive, there needs to be job creation and job growth. When people get hired and stay in the area, it benefits the city. If there are no job opportunities, people will leave for other cities. In Texas, the trend is generally booming, and many markets are hiring.
HComm: Would you have the complete list of the employers that will be at the job fair? It would be great to include them here.
KL: Yes! To learn more about the attending companies, please visit the site: https://twcareeralliancehtx.com/our-sponsors/
See you there!