Education and Workforce

Overview | Committee Information | FAQs


Division Mission : To support the economic development and quality of life in El Paso by improving the education and skill levels of the current and future talent force.

Accomplishments: School Board Member Board, Resolutions from school bonds, Management of Business Services Unit, Self Sufficiency Funds, State of the District and State of Higher Education

2009 Goals: Will provide after strategic planning

Current Projects: Division Activities

• School Board Member Candidate Qualification and Evaluation Process
  

One of the most important issues facing our community today is our ability, and resolve, to develop a trained workforce sufficient to meet the needs and demands of our growing business community. Our success in meeting this challenge requires a joint effort by all community partners to address a wide range of issues, including how well our school systems are preparing their graduates to succeed in today's changing economy. As a community, we must insist that all successful candidates for a school board position have the skills, experience, and knowledge to warrant our trust in educating our children as well as operating an organization with thousands of employees and a multi-million dollars budget.

The Chamber, in partnership with Region 19, hosts the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) New Candidate Orientation session for all candidates. The TASB session provides new candidates the do's and don'ts of being a school board trustee. Additionally, the Chamber implements an oral interview for candidates along with a questionnaire. For more information, please call the Education & Workforce Development Division at 915.534-0500.

• State of the School District Address

This annual event provides a venue for Superintendents from the major and outlying school districts in El Paso County to present their strategic plans, student achievements and educational initiatives to the business community for their respective school district. Superintendents are able to challenge the business community with specific roles to help them achieve their educational goals. To learn which school district will present at the next State of the School District please call the Education & Workforce Development Division at 915.534-0500.


• State of Higher Education

The Chamber hosts the State of Higher Education Address to inform and educate the business community on the work being accomplished by our local institutions of higher education. Higher education is the key catalyst for economic prosperity. Institutions like the University of Texas at El Paso , El Paso Community College , and the Texas Tech Paul L. Foster School of Medicine are critical in preparing our current and future workforce. It is imperative that we put an emphasis on higher education in order to help businesses meet the rapidly growing and dynamic global economy. For more information, please call the Education & Workforce Development Division at 915.534.0500.


• Groundhog Job Shadow Day
  
  Inspire a young mind by participating in Groundhog Job Shadow Day. Groundhog Job Shadow is an academically motivating activity designed to give middle and high school students an up-close look at the "real" world of work. Students answer the old aged question, "Why do I have to learn this?" and "When will I use this in life?"
  
  Beginning with a nationwide kickoff each February, students across America "shadow" workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job. Students get to experience firsthand the skills required in a "real" life workplace setting.
  
  Groundhog Job Shadow Day is led by the National Job Shadow Coalition. Locally, the Upper Rio Grande College Tech Prep Youth Consortium in partnership with the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce identifies willing employers and match students with them. Employers interested in hosting student(s) on Groundhog Job Shadow Day please contact the Education & Workforce Development Division at 915.534.0500.

• Educator Externship Summer Program

The Educator Externship Program goal is to take classroom teachers and place them in a business setting to make connections between classroom instruction and workforce skills. This program brings business and education together for the benefit of all students. Businesses are encouraged to host a teacher and help bring valuable business insight to these seasoned educators. Math, Science, and English teachers are available for placement on annual basis. It is an excellent opportunity to provide a real-world experience for a classroom teacher and to demonstrate how businesses use academic skills in their daily work. For more information, please contact the Upper Rio Grande College Tech Prep Youth Consortium at 780-6501.


• Bond Oversight Taskforce

The purpose of this taskforce is to monitor and receive quarterly reports by local school district that have passed a bond program and requested The Chamber's support in that endeavor. The taskforce meets on a quarterly basis. For more information, please call the Education & Workforce Division 915.534-0500.


• Business Services Unit menu of services to employers at NO cost

  •  Job Fairs
  •  Interview and Testing Areas
  •  Labor Market Information
  •  Tax Credit Benefits
  •  Training Grants
  •  Rapid Response
  •  Employment and Labor Law Information

Contact us at 915.887.2600.