Workforce Challenges
We repeatedly hear from our members across various industries that talent acquisition and workforce pipeline growth are key challenges today. This has resonated so strongly that it is one of the main pillars of the Frisco Chamber’s current strategic plan.
Workforce Solutions
Last week, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce convened local leaders from education and various industries to discuss talent acquisition and workforce pipeline growth.
In addition to a presentation on current talent pipeline data for the region from Brandi Harrison Trotter – Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, the education panelists presented the many programs they offer to ensure our workforce pipeline is strong today and stronger in the future.
Apprenticeship programs, upskilling, and partnerships to tailor degree programs to current business needs were a part of the discussion. A recurring theme was the value of involving the local business community in educating the future workforce.
In Collin County alone, the expected job growth is almost 15 times the national average!
A Great Conversation
Our audience had a chance to ask questions of the education panel, which included
- Dr. Mike Waldrip – Frisco ISD Superintendent;
- Neil Foote – Executive Director, Frisco Marketing Strategy at UNT at Frisco;
- Dr. Diana Hopes – Frisco Campus Provost at Collin College;
- Rod Wetterskog – Assistant Dean, Corporate Relations of The Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas.
Not only was the discussion valuable, the conversations and connections that took place after the event was exciting to see.
One of Many Innovative Programs
Here are some of the innovative programs that highlited by UTD. (Stay tuned as we bring you more programs from Frisco ISD, UNT, Collin College in subsequent blog posts. )
UTD Senior Capstone Programs:
UTDsolv – in which the Jindal School of Management (JSOM) faculty and staff equip their students to work with you to provide innovative solutions to real-life business problems. UTDsolv connects companies with talented undergraduate business students and future entrepreneurs and leaders. Students work on projects throughout the semester as part of their capstone senior project in small groups and under the guidance of JSOM faculty and company advisors. The acrostic “solv” stands for the key strategies the students follow when developing your solution: Structure/Organize/Lead/Visual.
UTDiscovery – from the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, is the culmination of UT Dallas Data Science students’ cross-curricular, project-based learning, and career development. Capstone projects provide the students a gateway to apply and advance their content knowledge, technical expertise, and research skills learned during their BS in Data Science coursework, while they develop solutions for you.
UTDesign – the award winning program from the Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, where we help companies expand their resources by connecting them with talented computer science and engineering students.
Come Back for More!
The Elite Leader’s event was so well received by the business leaders in attendance that a follow-up event is scheduled for January 31, 2024. The next discussion will focus on some of the innovative practices our businesses utilize to recruit and retain talent.
Thank you to Robin Steel, LLC, Collin College, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas, and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation for supporting this important initiative.
Other Workforce Initiatives
Here are a couple of Frisco Chamber workforce-related resources we’d encourage you to check out:
Sign up to show your interest in becoming a mentor
Get involved with the Young Entrepreneur’s Academy
