Austin Chamber's State of Talent & Education 2024 Recap

At our 19th annual State of Talent & Education event on Thursday, September 4th, we reinforced our commitment to building the future workforce Austin needs to thrive. Leaders across Central Texas shared their insights on the critical issues shaping our region’s education and labor landscape.

The event began with spotlighting our High School Internship Program with AISD—a paid, professional internship initiative designed to equip students with essential soft skills, connect them with career mentors, and open doors to valuable networking opportunities. This program reflects our dedication to fostering the next generation of talent and ensuring Austin's continued growth and success.

Featured Panels

Austin's Labor Landscape

Tamara Atkinson of Workforce Solutions and Geronimo Rodriguez of Ascension Texas shared valuable insights on Austin’s evolving labor landscape. They emphasized that while Austin is creating jobs at a faster pace than much of the country, it’s crucial to ensure that local residents are the ones benefiting from these career opportunities. Their discussion highlighted the ongoing efforts needed to align workforce development with the city’s rapid growth, reinforcing our shared commitment to building a strong, inclusive future for Austin.
Growing Local Talent - A Conversation with Central Texas Superintendents

In a session moderated by Kathaleen Ford Smith of Bank of America, we brought together three of our local superintendents—Matias Segura of AISD, Dr. Quentin Shepherd of Pflugerville ISD, and Dr. Robert Sormani of Manor ISD—to discuss how businesses can actively engage with our school districts to help prepare students for future careers.

Dr. Quentin Shepherd emphasized, "We need to start looking at education in terms of exposure, experience, and pursuit—these are the things our students need to be on a pathway to be part of our workforce."
Innovative Solutions to Austin's Growing Workforce Needs - Austin's Infrastructure Academy

In a session moderated by Kevin Brackmeyer of Skillpoint Alliance, Jeremiah Bentley of Texas Mutual, Karen Campbell of AECOM, and Trey Kiddy of JE Dunn discussed how their companies have been pivotal in bringing Austin's Infrastructure Academy to life. This conversation underscored the importance of partnerships in driving impactful solutions for our community's continued success.

Thanks to all our sponsors, including our Presenting Sponsor Texas Mutual, Reception Sponsor Bank of America, and Program Sponsor UT Austin Extended Campus, along with all the elected officials, VIPs, and school district representatives who were in attendance.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Reception Sponsor

Program Sponsor

Corporate Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

A+ Federal Credit Union	O'Connell Robertson
Amazon	SailPoint Technologies
Baylor Scott & White Health	Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Concordia University Texas	Texas Disposal Systems
Fairfield University

Related Categories: Education and Talent, Events, Signature

State of Talent & Education 2024 Recap

Austin's Labor Landscape

Growing Local Talent - A Conversation with Central Texas Superintendents

Innovative Solutions to Austin's Growing Workforce Needs - Austin's Infrastructure Academy

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