More than 150 students from the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center at Beaumont ISD attended the Industry Connections event Feb. 25 in the Board Room.
According to Eva LeBlanc, M.Ed., coordinator of business and industry CTE for BISD, the event’s goal is to introduce businesses and industry to CTE seniors focused on entering the workforce directly.
“Many businesses need to grow their talent pool and workforce, especially in the area of skilled trades,” she noted. “The event was an opportunity for CTE seniors to develop contacts and relationships with potential businesses offering career choices that may allow for interview opportunities.”
The event was divided into a morning and afternoon session. During the 9:15 a.m. session, the focus was on construction, culinary arts, emergency medical technicians, engineering, pharmacy technicians and welding.
Lori Threats, Ed.D., principal of the CTE Center, said a few companies attended the morning session that weren’t able to get a table together.
“But they sent a representative to just walk around and observe, and they said that they were impressed and they wanted to have the opportunity, so we did invite them,” she said.
The afternoon session focused on audio/video production, auto collison repair, cosmetology, culinary arts, diesel and heavy equipment, engineering, graphic design, HVAC, maritime, pharmacy technicians and welding.
Threat said this was their second year to host Industry Connections, which was held last year at the campus and space was limited.
“Bringing them here, it was almost getting them out of their normal environment, their comfort zone, and having them go somewhere else experiencing industry,” said Threat. “I think just that aspect of leaving the campus has elevated the program in itself. And just coming here, we just so grateful for all the industry that showed up for the students who were even more prepared this year after having done the interviews last year.”
She added the students went through a “mock” Industry Connection at the campus Feb. 21 to get more comfortable with introducing themselves.
Threat said she felt the event “went well.”
“We had more time than we needed and that was great,” she said. “We see we can scale it down to just having an hour for them being engaged with the industry and for them to still be able to make connections with all of those here.”
Students, interested in The Examiner, provided resumes with an array of skills including Adobe Premier Pro, Photoshop and Illustrator Certifications, filming and editing videos.
Zamir Chavarria. a senior at West Brook High School, also attending Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT), said the event was “amazing” for his first time.
“Sometimes I don’t like to go to many networking events because it’s a very big crowd and I’m a very one-on-one person or I like a small group,” he said.
Chavarria stated it’s a big opportunity for him and others.
“You have a little bit more choices when you’re out there,” he said. “All it takes is just to meet one person, then any pathways or path, there are so many options to go with.”
Threat added that businesses can visit the campus, located at 2330 North St., to meet with specific programs.
“That opportunity is always available,” said Threat.
Other businesses with representatives the event were Acadian Ambulance, ABC Training Center, Chick-fil-A, Carlsen Mooring and Marine Services LLC, Bechtel Energy Inc., Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Doggett Automotive Group, Doggett John Deere, I.B.E.W., United States Marines Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Genesis Beauty Salon, Studio B - Genesis Beauty Salon, LIT - Graphic Design, Lamar University College of Engineering, City of Beaumont, Workforce Solutions SETX, J. C. Penney Salon, LIT Computer Drafting and Salon Chantel.
— Dannie Oliveaux
