El Paso Community College (EPCC) President Dr. William Serrata recently joined the conversation on education's future and workforce development as a panelist at the El Paso Chamber of Commerce's 'State of Education and Workforce' luncheon. As reported by EPCC, the event was a gathering of business leaders and regional officials focused on aligning education with the labor market's necessities.
Highlighting the session's essence, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce CEO Ricardo Mora emphasized the importance of bringing together businesses and higher education to "move our community forward." Furthering this point, Dr. Serrata shared a striking correlation between education and economic stability, stating, "The more you learn, the more you earn, and the less likely you are going to be unemployed," as per EPCC. This connection between knowledge and prosperity aligns with EPCC's mission to provide accessible education that's responsive to industry demands, particularly in light of current workforce needs.
Dr. Richard C. Black, Dean of the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine, echoed the significance of EPCC's contributions, noting their dental hygiene program's impact in addressing the national shortage of dental hygienists, a situation exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Dr. Serrata, reinforcing his commitment to improving access to higher education, urged local businesses and institutions to collaborate on ensuring more individuals not only commence but also complete their educational journeys. Workforce Solutions Borderplex CEO Leila Melendez also affirmed the role of educational institutions like EPCC and UTEP in the creation of thousands of new jobs in the region.
