EDINBURG, Texas - Region One Education Service Center’s director for partnerships and career pathways says the group is working on a plan to develop stronger links between education and industry.
Dr. Eliza Alvarado said to make this happen the group has set up the Tri-Agency Regional Convener’s Pathways Leadership Advisory Board, comprised of higher education leaders, school district administrators and industry and community partners.
In an in-depth audio interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Alvarado said the Tri-Agency Regional Convener is a collaborative initiative designed to create seamless systems that will prepare students for advancement and success in various careers.
She said the group will work to identify needs and create industry-aligned pathways for the region and its communities.
“As a board, we will work to fill gaps around the region and analyze our assets to maximize student and industry prosperity,” Alvarado said. “We are really excited to get the work started and, ultimately, create a strategic plan that we can implement.”
The Tri-Agency Regional Convener was set up at the Region One ESC Conference Center on Sept. 8 with the help of education and workforce leaders.
In her interview with the Guardian, Alvarado said the Tri-Agency, comprising THECB, TWC, and TEA, was established by Governor Greg Abbott to support economic growth across the state.
Alvarado pointed out that in April 2023, Region One was designated the Tri-Agency Regional Convener to serve Lower Rio Workforce Development Area 23. This includes Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy counties.
As the Regional Convener, Alvarado said, Region One ESC will oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the regional strategy for high quality career and education pathways into targeted industries across the entire workforce development areas.
Workforce Solutions CEO Francisco Almaraz was among several of the advisory members who pledged to oversee career pathways and develop a plan for success across the education and workforce sectors.
“The Regional Convener is bringing together organizations that will collaborate to create sustainable economic development,” Almaraz said. “As we develop our strategic plan, we’ll get input from each organization to ensure we are all working in the same direction.”
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Senior Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations Veronica Gonzales said that it is great to work with education and workforce regional leadership.
“If we work regionally and get all of our partners at the table, we’ll have much more success,” Gonzales said.
For the next two years, Alvarez said the Board will meet quarterly to draft a Regional Strategic Plan, support the development of a Regional Pathway System, create work-based learning opportunities and establish data infrastructure and communication.
Here is an audio recording of the Guardian’s interview with Eliza Alvarado:
