Greater Waco Education to Workforce Forum

2024 Greater Waco Education to Workforce Forum | Monday, Oct. 7 | ESC Region 12 | 9 a.m.

The Greater Waco Education to Workforce Forum is an annual gathering designed to foster collaboration between the education and business communities.

Why Attend the Forum

Greater Waco’s strategic workforce challenge is meeting the demand of current and future business and industry as our economy continues to grow and evolve. Amidst the ever-changing landscape of the workforce, strong alignment between the business and education communities is critical to sustain economic growth and advance economic mobility in our region.

Join the Greater Waco Chamber as we bring together business, education, and workforce development organizations to network, share ideas, and learn best practices to ensure our region continues building the skilled workforce needed now and into the future.

Schedule

8 a.m. Registration

9 a.m. Welcome

9:15 a.m. The Importance of Aligning Business, Education, and the Community

Greenville Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Cheryl Garrison

10 a.m. Regional Education to Workforce Collaboration

Current State of K-12 Education
ESC Region 12 - Terry Arndt, Becky Lane & Patrick Murphy

Building the Education to Workforce Collaboration - Year 1 Reflections
Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce - Matt Meadors
Texas State Technical College - The WorkSITE - Kacey Darnell
K4 Construction - Keith Helpert

11 a.m. Break

11:10 a.m. Healthcare Careers Panel

Ascension Providence - Michelle Cola
Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) & Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) - Dr. Dale McCall
McLennan Community College - Glynnis Gaines
Encompass Health - Courtney Gilbreath

12 p.m. Lunch & Student Internship Panel

Communities in Schools for the Heart of Texas - Kimberly Bobbitt
Triple Win Waco - Cory Dickman
Central Texas Iron Works - Travis Fanning
Sturdisteel - Clay Springer

1 p.m. Networking Break

1:30 p.m. Advanced Manufacturing & Construction Careers Panel

Texas State Technical College - Adam Barber
STV - Jennifer Boen
Fallas Automation - Daniel Maeyaert
Midway ISD - Jess Wheeler

2:20 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. Business, Marketing, and Finance Careers Panel

Texas Tech at Waco - Bret Baze
Seedhouse Creative - Cathi Davis
Tarleton State University - Waco - Dr. George Mollick
Uzin Utz - Josh Neuberger

3:20 p.m. Closing Presentation

About the Panels

During the Forum, participants will hear panel discussions from local employers and partners highlighting education and training needed for high-demand, high-wage occupations and opportunities that offer valuable hands-on training and skill building for students.

Healthcare Panel

This panel will convene local employers to discuss the skills and education/training required for high-growth, high-wage occupations in allied healthcare. Education partners will also share their current and future efforts to skill talent for these occupations.

Panel speakers:

Michelle Cola, HR Business Partner, Ascension Providence
Dr. Dale McCall, Dean, Greater Waco Advanced Healthcare Academy (GWAHCA) & Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA)
Glynnis Gaines, Dean of Health Professions, McLennan Community College
Courtney Gilbreath, Human Resources Director, Encompass Health

Michelle Cola, HR Business Partner, Ascension Providence

Human resources professional with 14 years of experience working with a variety of industries. Passionate about working in healthcare for a mission driven organization, where she can serve patients through supporting Ascension Providence staff.
Provides data to leadership to drive workforce development in a strategic way by focusing on areas that are the most needed.
Works with the compensation team to appropriately implement competitive wages based on the needs of the market.
Responsible for creating staffing growth plans.
Partners with the Talent Acquisition team to address current needs and the Workforce Development Manager to implement pipeline and pathway programs

Dr. Dale McCall, Dean, Greater Waco Advanced Healthcare Academy (GWAHCA) and Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA)

Beginning 15th year in education, with 6 years at TSTC and nine with Waco ISD as the Dean of GWAMA. In addition to GWAMA, oversees GWAHCA and was previously in healthcare for 27 years as a practicing general dentist in Bellmead, TX.
Helps prepare students by providing them with opportunities to obtain Industry-Based Certifications (IBC’s).
Works with the local workforce board to provide work experience opportunities for GWAMA welding students through a paid externship.
Partners with MCC and TSTC to provide students pathways to a college degree.
Helps to provide GWAHCA students opportunities to work in local health-care fairs and blood drives.

Glynnis Gaines, Dean of Health Professions, McLennan Community College

Responsible for overseeing the Health Profession Programs at the college, which are pivotal in producing skilled healthcare professionals in McLennan and Falls counties.
These programs provide diverse educational opportunities for students. There are many great careers in addition to nursing. There are other professions that are in high demand with high wage careers.
Students attending these programs are interested in staying in our area.
Programs include a clinical component which requires partnership with healthcare partners.
Student certification and employment rates are exceptional and closely monitored.

Courtney Gilbreath, Human Resources Director, Encompass Health

The Human Resources Director is responsible for helping create an environment and culture that enables the hospital to fulfill its mission by meeting or exceeding its goals, conveying the hospital mission to all staff, holding staff accountable for performance, motivating staff to improve performance and being responsible for the operation, measurement, assessment, and continuous improvement of the department’s performance.
Attracting, engaging, retaining, and developing high-performing individuals and teams to meet current and future business needs.
Coordinates the overall education program in conjunction with the Education Coordinator.
Leverages and maximizes employees’ unique talents and perspectives to improve business performance.
Devoting time and energy to help employees expand knowledge, skills, and abilities; and seek new experiences or career growth opportunities.

Student Internship Panel

Paid internships and work experience offer training opportunities for students as they enter the workforce. This panel will highlight local businesses with internship opportunities and community-based organizations with youth internship programs.

Panel speakers:

Kimberly Bobbitt, Workforce Program Director, Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas
Cory Dickman, Program Director, Triple Win Waco
Travis Fanning, Director of Human Resources, Central Texas Iron Works
Clay Springer, Chief Strategy Officer, Sturdisteel

Kimberly Bobbitt – Workforce Program Director, Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas

Oversees Communities In School’s Workforce program, which aims at helping Opportunity Youth (youth completely disengaged from employment or education) between ages of 16-24 overcome barriers to engaging in workforce or education.
Coordinates Paid Internship Opportunities for Youth with Local Employers and ensures 1:1 Coaching/Support for program participants
Coordinates youth access to supportive service funds ($ for gas, clothing, etc.) and occupational training funds
Organizes classroom presentations to engage and train students and district staff on using career tools and resources to navigate the labor market and career information
Coordinates with community partners serving similar population of youth (CareNet, Central Texas Youth Services, Methodist Children's Home, etc.) to ensure wraparound supports in areas of education/employment

Cory Dickman, Program Director, Triple Win Waco

Oversees Triple Win Waco, a student incubator/makerspace for Rapoport Academy and other schools to get work-based learning career training and placement with industry partners in the Waco area.
Helps place students in internships that are focused on the arts, welding/fabrication, and entrepreneurship.
Works with business and community partners to ensure all internship opportunities are paid.
Builds intentional relationships with students to ensure programming is focused on the student experience.
Works to find partners that provide avenues for cool projects and potential career opportunities for students.

Travis Fanning, Director of Human Resources, Central Texas Iron Works

Current Vice Chairman of the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy Executive Board
Developed a partnership with the Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board for high school student welding internships
Responsible for developing and hosting a yearly areawide competition for local high school welding programs at CTIW
Oversees the CTIW Scholarship Program
Works closely with area high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to encourage young people entering the construction/manufacturing industry

Clay Springer, Chief Strategy Officer, Sturdisteel

Oversees engineering and operations. Shapes the “what” in structural steel, as Sturdisteel builds from design to installation. Clay is continually studying production methods and engineering design to pair the two for efficiency. This is an exciting time with manufacturing equipment and growth happening in the industry.
Works to hire, upskill, and promote talent who is fluent in not only ironworking but also blueprints and CNC work.
Production welding isn’t the pipelining we hear about in school. It’s repetitive and physically intensive, but for students wanting to make a career locally, companies like Sturdisteel bring a family-run atmosphere to the work. Clay believes it’s good for students to experience manufacturing early to make informed career decisions.
The certifications in Sturdisteel’s industry matter, from AWS welding to forklift and OSHA. Clay works daily with contractors and OSHA reps that expect the correct training to be implemented, adopted, and followed on the job site to keep everyone safe both from accidents and undergrade manufacturing practices.

Advanced Manufacturing & Construction Panel

This panel will convene local employers to discuss the skills and education/training required for high-growth, high-wage occupations in technical careers, many of which can be obtained with short-term credentials. Education partners will also share their current and future efforts to skill talent for these occupations.

Panel speakers:

Adam Barber, Executive Director, Workforce Training and Continuing Education, Texas State Technical College
Jennifer Boen, Waco Area Manager, STV
Daniel Maeyaert, Vice President of Operations, Fallas Automation
Jess Wheeler, Executive Director of State and Federal Programs, Midway ISD

Adam Barber, Executive Director, Workforce Training and Continuing Education, Texas State Technical College

Actively engaged with industry partners to determine skills gaps and training opportunities for their new and incumbent workforce.
Regularly involved in discussions regarding occupations that are in high demand and creating open enrollment courses that align with the skills needed for individuals to obtain those positions.
Creation of apprenticeship programs for industry partners that have proven to be highly successful.
Awarded training grants for individuals seeking employable skills and for industry partners upskilling their new and incumbent workforce. (SDF, SSB, TRUE, TWC Pilot, TIRA, Texas Talent)
Collaboration with TWC, EDCs, chambers, and industry associations across the state to help build a stronger workforce.

Jennifer Boen, Waco Area Manager, STV

Oversees coordination efforts for existing projects, client relationships, and business growth
Grows STV’s practice to advance Waco’s projects and remain at the forefront of the industry
Ensures that the day-to-day operations of the business run smoothly by managing processes, improving efficiency, and solving operational issues
Recruits the best and brightest from the region to advance their career or join STV through the internship program
Leads and motivates a team of employees and provides support to staff members to help them achieve their best

Daniel Maeyaert, Vice President of Operations, Fallas Automation

Focuses on company culture and involved in all new employee hiring at Fallas Automation.
Partners with Baylor University to provide input into a Junior Design project for engineering students.
Co-Chair of the Greater Waco Chamber's Area Industry Managers.
Regularly works with TSTC to inform programming and is a member of TSTC’s Worksite Advisory committee.
Helped start a robotics program in the Rosebud/Lott school district.

Jess Wheeler, Executive Director of State and Federal Programs, Midway ISD

Evaluate regional labor market data and align MISD career pathways and programs of study to that data
Host and engage in career-based advisory boards at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
Interact and connect industries to MISD while developing valuable real-world connections to the classroom.
Remain engaged in the ever-changing political arena that impacts college- and career-based educational opportunities.
Find, develop, and administer professional development for CTE staff to remain current and connected

Business, Marketing & Finance Panel

This panel will convene local employers to discuss the skills and education/training required for high-growth, high-wage occupations across the business, marketing, and finance sectors. Education partners will also share their current and future efforts to skill talent for these occupations.

Panel speakers:

Bret Baze, Texas Tech University
Cathi Davis, President, Seedhouse Creative
Dr. George Mollick, Associate Dean of Workforce Pathways and Career Development, Tarleton State University
Josh Neuberger, Vice President, Strategy and Development, Uzin Utz

Bret Baze, Texas Tech University

Meets with companies and organizations to determine their educational needs and shortcomings to identify new programming needs.
Helps build degrees, certifications, and micro credentials to better serve the needs of the workforce.
Offers information and consultation concerning general business needs of today based on his company experience.
Works directly with students to identify programs that will help them reach their goals in the workforce.
Works with companies to identify the benefits available for tuition reimbursement and how that benefit can reduce workplace costs.

Cathi Davis, President, Seedhouse Creative

Serves as president and owner of Seedhouse Creative, a 38-year old Waco-based marketing firm.
Oversees the development and execution of marketing strategies that successfully elevate and grow local businesses and organizations.
Lead final decision-making on all new positions and job hiring, ensuring that Seedhouse Creative attracts top talent to meet our clients' needs.
Plays a key role in workforce development by determining hiring needs and approving budgets as part of her service on various community boards.
Drives workforce development initiatives by balancing personnel needs with budgetary considerations in both her company and community roles.
Committed to fostering a strong local workforce by mentoring emerging talent through the Chamber’s LEAD program and Baylor and Texas Tech’s college intern programs.

Dr. George Mollick, Associate Dean of Workforce Pathways and Career Development, Tarleton State University

Leads the University bridge programs at Tarleton that recognizes Credit for Prior Learning allowing adult students to complete their degree faster.
Creates bridges between community colleges and high school Career and Technical Education programs to create credit bearing pathways to an AAS.
Led the foundation of the career enrichment scholarship that provides a fixed price of $12,000 to complete the last 60 hours of a bridge degree program at Tarleton.
Leads the career service group to match regional employment needs with Tarleton Talent.
Long career in technical education in the Engineering Technology department creating programs that provide talent for manufacturing and construction industries.

Josh Neuberger, Vice President, Strategy and Development, Uzin Utz

Works with the human resources department to coordinate career fairs, hiring needs, and local resources available to the company.
Identifying local resources ie: classes, schools, other that may benefit Uzin Utz to enhance the skills of employees or develop future talent.
Point of contact for Uzin Utz tours for various local organizations.
On a national level, works with the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) high school outreach programs to encourage students to get into the trades.
In conjunction with human resources department, assesses outside leadership training courses and programs that may be of interest or need to the company.

Questions?

Tiffany Gallegos Whitley
Senior Director of Workforce & Talent
twhitley@wacochamber.com
254-757-5614

Rachel Martinez
Director of Workforce & Talent
rmartinez@wacochamber.com
254-757-5633

Greater Waco Education to Workforce Forum

2024 Greater Waco Education to Workforce Forum | Monday, Oct. 7 | ESC Region 12 | 9 a.m.

Why Attend the Forum

Schedule

About the Panels

Healthcare Panel

Student Internship Panel

Advanced Manufacturing & Construction Panel

Business, Marketing & Finance Panel

Questions?

CONTACT US