The annual State of Education event explored how businesses help students prepare for the future through apprenticeship programs, student/career speaking, mentoring, internships, skilled-trade programs, and educator externships.

On November 14, we heard from business and education leaders about the importance of helping to grow a strong regional talent pipeline that drives our prosperous economy in the right direction at the 2019 State of Education.

Chamber Vice Chair of Education Nikki Graham delivered the State of Education address. Graham named Austin one of the most “dynamic regions in the country." She relayed statistics about the region's workforce:

• Since 2004, the Austin Chamber, through Opportunity Austin, has helped create more than 423,000 jobs across the region;
• Our employment rate has been at 97% or better for the last four and a half years;
• Our per capita income has climbed to the highest in Texas; and
• Our economic success in semiconductors and computing in the 1990s has expanded to medical device, national defense, clean energy, content creation and the internet of things.

Our featured panel, Workforce readiness & how business has answered the call, was moderated by Roy Spence. Our speakers were Laurie Bricker, Sanford E. Jeames, and Christina Moten-Johnson. Together, they discussed how businesses help students prepare for the future through apprenticeship programs, student/career speaking, mentoring, internships, skilled-trade programs, and educator externships.

The Chamber recognized Round Rock ISD’s Steve Flores as Superintendent of the Year.

The Chamber also honored recipients of its Business Champions in Education awards and District Awards for Educational Excellence.

Education Business Champions

Academic Advancement and Student Support award winners: S.P.A.R.K., A+ Federal Credit Union, Broadway Bank, American Constructors, Benchmark Bank

College and Career Mentoring/Experience Award winners: University Federal Credit Union, Bluebonnet Electric Corporation

Workforce Readiness award winners: Leif Johnson Truck City Ford, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, Bank of America, Baylor Scott & White Health, Epic Piping

District Awards for Education Excellence

Highest ApplyTexas Submission Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus: Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville High School, Hutto High School, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, KIPP Austin Collegiate

Highest FAFSA Submission Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus: Pflugerville High School, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

Highest Financial Aid Saturdays Attendance for a High School Campus: Hutto High School

Highest Senior Survey Participation Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus: Round Rock High School, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, LBJ Early College High School

Greatest Improvement in College Readiness for a School District: Hutto ISD

Highest College Readiness Rate for a School District: Round Rock ISD

Greatest Improvement in Direct-to-College Enrollment for a High School Campus: Akins High School, Crockett High School, Garza Independent High School

Greatest Improvement in Direct-to-College Enrollment for a School District: Leander Independent School District

Highest Overall Direct-to-College Enrollment for a High School Campus: Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

Call to Action

If your business would like to become a Talent Ambassador to offer learning opportunities such as internships, job shadowing, site tours, etc., please complete the engagement form. It should take about 4 minutes to fill out.