Strategic Business Plan 2017 - 2020 Strategic Business Plan 2017 - 2020 | Page 49

System Goal and Rationale event brings together teachers and counselors, employers, and community leaders to discuss the Coastal Bend’s education and employment needs now and in the future. Guest speakers have included Texas Workforce Commissioners, State Representatives, and local employer representatives. Panel discussions include employers addressing their needs, representatives from the region’s two community colleges and two universities, the Craft Training Center, and panels of students who discussed their successes with early college high school and dual credit programs. Experts from local economic development and TWC’s Labor Market & Career Information (LMCI) division provide overviews of the Texas and Coastal Bend labor market to educators during lunch. iDiscovery Safari – This family learning event targets elementary and middle school youth and their parents. This event emphasizes the skills used on the job and the training needed to get the job through interactive and hands-on activities. Pathways at the event lead students through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers, public service, healthcare, arts and communication, architecture, and education and training. Seventy-five (75) College and Career exhibitors provided information to more than 600 students and their parents. Discover Your Direction! HB 5 Symposium – House Bill 5 (HB 5) focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This event targeted 250 youth in grades 7, 8, and 9 and included a discussion on how students would be impacted by HB 5. The event begins and ends with essential “soft skills” workshops provided by WFSCB. Breakout sessions included detailed information on each of the five HB 5 endorsements and local labor market and career information. Ready for College and Career Conference (R4C2) for Undecided High School Seniors - In an effort to help those high school seniors who haven’t decided what they plan to do after graduation, WFSCB and its Coastal Compass partners host the annual R4C2 conference for Undecided High School Seniors. The annual conference is attended by 350 plus seniors and their teachers. Similar to the R4C2 for Educators, this event provides panel discussion and break-sessions by local employers and education providers in an effort to help seniors focus on their future and employment goals. WD Letter 22-16, Attachment 2 4