State of the Workforce and the soft skills challenge
How are the children? I hear, "Think of our neighbors as we do our families. Our sense of community grows as we seek the best for one another." Volunteer, model soft skills necessary for success.
Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Kitchens and his team organized a great State of the Workforce event Wednesday Oct. 2 with 150 attendees at Sikes Lake Center.
Gonzalo Robles highlighted the Road to College program culture of high expectations as the roadmap for families whose students would be the first generation to earn a college degree.
Dr. Donny Lee, WFISD superintendent, noted the excitement throughout WFISD with new high schools and the fresh update at Hirschi Middle School. By hiring the best and brightest teachers on all campuses, we can change behavior and expectations such that students are excited about school.
Dr. Dusty Johnston shared that two-thirds of the Vernon College students have Wichita county addresses. Half the students receive the training necessary to join the workforce while the other half are preparing for a four-year college. 43.5% of Vernon College students return, transfer or complete their studies compared to 22.5% as measured at all state community colleges.
Ron then introduced panelists Michael Stanford, President of Sharp Iron Group, Michelle Wood, WFISD director of career and technical education, and Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation executive director. They discussed student needs for skills and certifications for farming, construction, manufacturing as well as trades, culinary jobs and cosmetology.

Dr. Stacia Haynie, president of MSU Texas, finished by sharing that MSU has a record number of freshman, campus dormitories are full. Her focus is to continually improve the value MSU delivers to the students and to the community.
What can the rest of us do? Help tomorrow’s workforce get the soft skills development they need. But will they look another in the eye as shake hands? Or hold the door for someone else?
As I check my conclusions with friends, Carol Waggoner suggests to me, “we need to think of our neighbors as we do our families. Our sense of community grows as we seek the best for one another.”
Everyone in the community has a responsibility for the future of the community. Volunteer to help our community, where you can model your soft skills and help another.
Wichita Falls is known as the city that faith built and why many identify Wichita Falls as their hometown. Let’s have faith in our future, the best is yet to come.
Published Wichita Falls Times Record News, Trends Section, Sunday October 20, 2024.
Jack Browne is a community volunteer and former technology sales and marketing executive who worked 40 years at Motorola, MIPS Technologies and other companies. How are the children doing?