More jobs, opportunities: Eli Lilly executive vice president tells Voz News company will build $6.5 billion plant in Houston

The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has begun construction on a new plant in northeast Houston, Texas, with an investment of $6.5 billion, representing significant employment and career opportunities for the community, especially for Hispanics, who make up one of the city's largest populations.

During an interview on the Voz News newscast, Edgardo Hernández, executive vice president and president of Manufacturing Operations at Eli Lilly and Company, explained that the project will generate approximately 600 permanent positions within the company and another 4,000 construction-related jobs.

"We expect to create 600 regular positions at Eli Lilly and Company," said Hernández, who explained that the opportunities will span a wide variety of areas, including manufacturing and logistics operators, laboratory technicians, engineers, and scientists. "There are a diverse range of opportunities for the community to apply for these jobs," the executive emphasized.

Hernández explained that Houston was selected following an extensive process in which Eli Lilly received 300 proposals from 42 states. The city stood out for its logistics capabilities, including its air and maritime access, as well as its proximity to raw material suppliers. "It is extremely important for us to have an ecosystem that supports the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products," he explained.

The company is also working with San Jacinto Community College to develop a specialized workforce and provide residents with the tools they need to access these opportunities.

Hernández invited those interested to start preparing and check out the positions already available on Eli Lilly's career portal. "You don't need to have a college degree right now," he explained, though he noted that the two-year programs and certificate programs offered in partnership with the community college can help people acquire the skills needed to enter the pharmaceutical industry.

"Foundational knowledge is important to us, and there are many opportunities to acquire it starting now," Hernández said.

With this investment, Eli Lilly is not only expanding its manufacturing capacity but is also committed to training and hiring workers in Houston, creating new opportunities for thousands of families in the region.

You can watch the full interview by clicking on the video below.