ExxonMobil Beaumont Area Public & Government Affairs Advisor Andrew Ortiz joins the show to talk about the company's 409 Energy Scholars program. The two-week program introduces incoming Beaumont ISD seniors to the petrochemical industry and provides information about available careers at the Beaumont-area operation. Participant Brian Godina, senior at West Brook Senior High School, also joins the podcast to talk about his experience. For more information about ExxonMobil visit https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) President Dr. Sidney Valentine joins the show to talk about the college's new Workforce and Allied Health Training Center and nursing program. Dr. Valentine also emphasizes the importance of blue-collar workers, whom he describes as "gold-collar," to the ever-growing industrial sector of Southeast Texas. For more information about LIT, visit www.lit.edu

Hear how Southeast Texas industry leaders created a local Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter to enhance training and career options for students while building a pipeline of skilled workers to support the manufacturing industry. The panel of guests includes Stacey Nichols, Golden Triangle FAME president; Tony Davis, National Director, FAME USA and Dereck Cloeren, Operations Manager at Cloeren Incorporated. For more information visit https://fame-usa.com/fame-program-locations/texas-fame/golden-triangle/

In Part 2 of our discussion with Chris Kirkendall, the Hardin County Commissioner discusses labor and broadband needs, tips for transitioning veterans, and his vision for the county moving forward.

In Part 1 of Southeast Texas Works conversation with Hardin County Commissioner Chris Kirkendall, we discuss economic development, commerce, and how Silsbee ISD Career and Technical Education is helping prepare the workforce of the future for in-demand and promising career opportunities.

Dr. Janeal White from Southeast Texas Coalition for the Homeless joins the show to talk about the issue of homelessness in our area. Dr. White's organization, a community services division of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, connects community organizations that provide services and aid for the homeless and collects local data on the homeless population, which can be a difficult task in itself. For more information visit https://www.setrpc.org/setch/

Raquel Ochoa and Erika Banda Meza of the Hispanic Business Association of Southeast Texas join the show to talk about the needs and accomplishments of Hispanic businesses in our area. Their organization strives to uplift Spanish-speaking employers and entrepreneurs, educate them, and provide tools for growth. The two sisters also share their personal stories of how they became successful entrepreneurs. For more information, visit https://hbasetx.com/

Justin Cooper and Trey Berryman of the Southeast Texas Building and Construction Trades Council join the show to talk about apprenticeship programs in the skilled trades. With more than $54 billion in current projects and long-term investments, skilled workers are in-demand in Southeast Texas and apprenticeship programs can be the pathway to a rewarding career. For more information, visit https://www.stbctc.org/

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgts. Grant Belvin and Shana Clark join the show to talk about careers in law enforcement, including what it takes to become a Texas State Trooper. Forensic science and other careers at DPS are also discussed. For more information about careers at Texas DPS visit https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/human-resource-operations/texas-department-public-safety-careers

Texas Workforce Commission Economist William Lutz joins the show to give an economic overview and jobs forecast for the Southeast Texas area. Mr. Lutz also discusses the effect of COVID and the Southeast Texas industry mix on the unemployment rate and how youth can use labor market information to help them make a career choice. For more information about the Labor Market and Career Information from TWC visit https://lmci.state.tx.us/