2:58 Monde Schwartz begins to talk about the how of achieving these goals. This includes developing innovative programs.
2:50 Barb Embacher talks about the need to connect students and new grads with jobs. Fostering education-business partnership to help students enter the workforce is importance. She develops programs that match workforce needs with adult and youth learners. How do we retain them here? Can we get older workers at retirement age become mentors and elders
2:42 Randy Johnson says that the biggest problem facing Southern Minnesota is a workforce shortage. He says that the presence of immigrants shows that an economy is healthy, since people don't move to places where there aren't any jobs.We will need better educated workers. The ability to work in teams is important and education in the arts help there. Technical programs shouldn't be seen as school for the "dumbed down." Incumbent worker training and retraining for the unemployed will also be important.
Can everybody be above average? Johnson believes so. He notes that targeted, completed education is valuable regardless of how long the program is as opposed to years of education in which the dtudent doesn't finish the program,
2:28 p.m.Terry Leas talks about the changes to and cost of technical and post-secondary. He notes a number of changes and challenges. He believes that immigration policy needs to be reformed so that we can attract workers from other places. We need to educate Americans about the need for new workers and quit demonizes people who are different.
2:14 p.m.The panel is moderated by Dr. Bob Hoffman; panelists are Randy Johnson, the executive director Workforce Development in Rochester; Terry Leas, President, Riverland CTC; Barb Embacher, School to Work Program, Greater Mankato Growth; Monde Schwartz, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Mankato Public School.
Hoffman review the demographic and employment trends that form the background for the panel.
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