The jobs Texas will need to fill in 10 years are being defined today, and the state's education and workforce systems are racing to catch up.
Join The Texas Tribune and The Waco Bridge for a daylong symposium on Wednesday, Aug. 12, on how Texas is building the systems, partnerships and programs to develop its workforce for the economy ahead, bringing together higher education leaders, employers, industry partners and workforce and civic stakeholders.
Two years into the implementation of House Bill 8, we assess what's working, where gaps remain and where leadership is needed.
The daylong Texas Tribune symposium for business, education and civic leaders begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Texas State Technical College in Waco.
The day's programs will be livestreamed and available on-demand after the event for the larger public.Â
AGENDA: Symposium agenda below.Â
REGISTRATION:Â Those interested in joining in-person or virtually can use the REGISTER button above.Â
MEALS: Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided to in-person attendees.Â
TRAVEL NOTE: For those traveling from outside of Waco, we recommend arriving the evening prior, Aug. 11.
DIRECTIONS/PARKING:Â The symposium will be held at TSTC's Construction Technologies Center, 10 Bolling Drive., Waco, TX 76705. Free parking is available at the venue.
A conversation between employers and education leaders on skills gaps, AI's impact on job requirements and what industry actually needs from its academic partners.
• Hope Cotner, president and CEO, Center for Occupational Research and Development
• Justin Yancy, president, Texas Business Leadership Council
• Laolu Davies-Yemitan, founding principal, Five Wood Realty
• Moderated by Paul Cobler, economy and industry reporter, The Texas TribuneÂ
A look at the policy and practice behind dual enrollment, career academies and short-term credentials — and how HB 8 is reshaping the K-12-to-workforce pipeline across the state.
• Laura Marmolego, dean, advanced manufacturing and engineering technology, Austin Community CollegeÂ
• Mary Lynn Pruneda, director of education and workforce policy, Texas 2036
• Moderated by Sneha Dey, education reporter, The Texas Tribune (covering pathways from education to employment)Â
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Panel hosted by The Waco Bridge: The workforce in Waco
A spotlight on the partnerships, programs and models driving workforce outcomes in Central Texas, and what other communities can learn from them.
• Jessica Attas, CEO of Prosper WacoÂ
• Michael Reeser, chancellor and CEO, Texas State Technical College System
• Rick Tullis, business and workforce leader, unopposed candidate for McLennan County Judge
• Moderated by J.B. Smith, editor-in-chief, The Waco Bridge
A forward-looking conversation on the policy changes, funding tools and leadership required to make Texas's workforce vision a reality, and what success looks like in five years.
• Priscilla Camacho, chief legislative, industry and external relations officer, Alamo Colleges District
• State Rep. Pat Curry, R-WacoÂ
• John Hryhorchuk, senior vice president of policy and advocacy, Texas 2036
• Lauren Willis, head of state and local communications, BlackRockÂ
• Moderated by Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief, The Texas Tribune
Email us at events@texastribune.org
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Saucedo-Herrera is the president and CEO of greater:SATX, a regional economic partnership charged with growing and diversifying the eight-county San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA. During her seven-year tenure at the helm of San Antonio’s economic development team, greater:SATX has secured over 23,000 jobs for the region through recruitment and expansion projects that include work with Ernst & Young, Victory Capital, Navistar and Aisin.
Kamerlander is president and CEO of the Greater San Marcos Partnership. He formerly served as director of Lockhart Economic Development, where he developed the city’s first economic development strategic plan to promote Lockhart as a destination for job creation and investment. The successful program saw the development of a LEDC-owned 75 acre-acre industrial park housing Lockhart’s most recent announcement, The Ziegenfelder Company, a frozen treat manufacturer. The project included a $46 million investment and is creating 100 new jobs.
Latson is the CEO of Opportunity Austin. Previously, he founded and served as executive director for ARMA, the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, a business group focused on strengthening the advanced manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development and networking. Latson is also a member of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Semiconductor Taskforce.
Packer is president and CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber, a membership organization representing more than 1,600 businesses. The chamber advocates for sound public policy, serves as the destination marketing organization for New Braunfels and manages Confluence, a public-private economic development initiative.
Cisneros is chair of the infrastructure investment firm American Triple I. He is also vice chair of the board of directors and equity owner of Shank Williams Cisneros & Co. LLC and principal of Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC. He was mayor of San Antonio from 1981-89 and secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton from 1993-97.
