Representatives of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education Workforce Solutions of Brown County were presenters at the Education Open Source Conference in Austin on Feb. 9th.  The conference was for high school Career and Technical Education directors, administrators and business leaders.

The Brown County group presented a workshop entitled, “Col-LABOR-ation: An Advisory Council that Really Works.”  They described the county-wide council made of all seven Brown County school districts, all higher education institutions, major employers, businesses and workforce support.  Special emphasis was spent on the dynamics of the council, as it is driven by the needs of local employers.  In response to the needs of industry and business, high schools and post-secondary schools are adapting their curriculum to better equip the future and current workforce.

One example given was the manufacturing career pathway recently developed by Brownwood High School, tailored by input from 3M and Kohler.  Another outcome of the council is the collaboration of Brownwood Regional Medical Center, Ranger College, Texas State Technical College for training nurses.

The group from Brown County encouraged the conference attendees to allow the workforce needs of local industry to direct career and technical education.  “We want our students to graduate from high school and be able to go to work here, in Brown County,” said Brownwood High School Career and Technical Education Director, Sandra Richardson.  “Working with our local employers ensures that we teach them the skills they need to have a viable career.”

The workshop was well received, and further input was requested by several conference attendees.

Pictured above: Representatives of the Education Workforce Solutions of Brown County share their story with other Career and Technology educators and council members.  Pictured from left to right are Brian Kight (TSTC), Emily Crawford (BISD), Sandra Richardson (BISD), Gregg Rice (3M) and Mikeana Bailey (BRMC).