New, Emerging, and Evolving Careers Workshop Summary

(posted May 2010)

Preparing students for a global world and economy was the featured topic of a Tech Prep workshop held April 13 in Nolanville. Sponsored by Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium and hosted by Region 12 Education Service Center, the workshop attracted about 30 educators from the Central Texas region.

Wanda Williams, Special Projects Manager with Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, provided an overview of key industries and targeted occupations in the area and discussed how challenging it is to predict what will be required to provide a prepared workforce. Information on targeted occupations is used by educational institutions to determine what courses and programs should be offered, especially in career and technical fields, and by students to explore possible careers and courses of study. Williams also discussed “green” economy sectors and online resources such as TRACER2 and Work in Texas that provide career, economic and job search tools.

Representatives from higher education followed Williams’ presentation with discussions of how their respective institutions are preparing for new, emerging, and evolving careers.

Mark Winans, Electronics Department Chair at Central Texas College, discussed the college’s participation in a consortium that works with industry workers that are looking at “green” technologies such as solar, geothermal, biomass, biogas, and biofuel options. Workers in related industries will need strong math backgrounds and must have good communication skills. Sales forces for related products will need a background in technology. Builders are beginning to use green standards and using smart grids to control electricity usage.

Texas Bioscience Institute Executive Director Dr. Daniel Spencer discussed Temple College’s Allied Health Science two year programs and the need to supply health care workers in this area. He also discussed the Bioscience Accelerator at TBI, the Laboratory Animal Science program coordinated with Scott and White Hospital, and the Middle College Program for high school juniors and seniors. Students at the middle college have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree prior to graduating from high school.

Anita Steele shared information about high skill, high wage, and high demand program offerings at Texas State Technical College (TSTC). At TSTC, advisory committees, which include members from industry, help make decisions on programs to add. Last fall, Aviation Control was added. Programs to be added in Fall 2010 include Aerospace Management, Digital Forensics, High Performance Computing, Solar Technician, and Nanotechnology.

Sarina Swindell from Texas A&M University – Central Texas spoke on the accreditation process for the “new” university, the incoming president, and the change in the number of hours required for admission to the upper level university. Due to the changes, articulation agreements will need to be revisited.

Don Owens from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) provided an historical overview of the institution and discussed programs offered. Business and Nursing are the largest programs. New programs include Nursing Education, Visual Arts, and Business Systems. New Minors include Entrepreneurship, Nursing Informatics, and Military Science. In the fall, a new Career Coaching and Career Planning Course will be offered. Class size at UMHB averages sixteen to twenty students per instructor. Ninety percent of students receive financial aid.

Prior to the panel discussion, Christine Holecek from Region 12 Education Service Center, Sherry Hollinger from Central Texas Tech Prep, and Dr. Dana Watson from Central Texas College provided information and updates from their areas for the attendees. Holecek shared a PowerPoint career technical education update on graduation requirements and upcoming professional development and shared some online resources. Hollinger discussed an opportunity available for funding to assist teachers in professional development for the new curriculum and statewide articulation (ATC) training. Watson shared information from the TACTE conference including dual credit issues.








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