Workforce Starts in Classrooms: Fort Worth Chamber Connects Business and Education

# What happened Impact: Workforce Starts Here, bringing together business, K‑12 and higher education leaders to discuss how Fort Worth can build the talent pipeline for a growing economy. Two panels framed the discussion: The Business of Education and Classrooms to Career.

# Why this matters Employers make location and growth decisions based partly on workforce availability and quality. That ties public education directly to economic development: reading and math proficiency, attendance, teacher effectiveness, career readiness, and workplace skills like communication and problem solving all affect whether businesses can find local talent.

# Public education as a business issue Speakers included Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata and Fort Worth Chamber CEO Steve Montgomery, with Bobby Ahdieh moderating. Their discussion focused on how educational outcomes influence the local business environment. The message: improving school outcomes is a practical element of economic infrastructure because businesses compete for skilled workers.

# Business engagement starts early The panel outlined concrete ways employers can connect students to careers while they are still in school. Models mentioned include:

• Internships and apprenticeships that place students in real work settings.
• Mentorships that pair students with industry professionals.
• Teacher externships that give educators hands‑on exposure to employer needs.
• Industry-supported programs that provide certification pathways and equipment.

The Chamber identified a role helping companies scale these activities, especially smaller firms that have opportunities but lack program infrastructure.

# Classrooms to career: local examples Panelists described several program models that turned employer needs into classroom opportunities:

• Azle ISD worked with employers to create programs in industrial refrigeration and crane operations. Students can earn industry‑recognized certifications and gain hands‑on experience before graduation.
• Tarrant County College Northwest partnered with the FAA and other industry partners to develop an air traffic control program aimed at addressing workforce shortages in that field.

# The Chamber's practical role

# Concrete implications for employers and educators Employers: consider what placement, training, or mentorship capacity you already have and whether the Chamber or partner institutions can help scale it into an education pipeline.

Educators: seek employer partners who can provide equipment, certifications, internships, and input on curriculum so programs align with real labor market needs.

Policymakers and funders: supporting structures that reduce friction for employer engagement — shared platforms, incentives, or coordination services — increases the odds programs will reach more students and produce job‑ready talent.

# Bottom line Fort Worth leaders framed workforce development as a practical collaboration problem: match employer needs with classroom training and credentials, starting early and coordinating through organizations such as the Chamber to make engagement feasible for a broad range of businesses.