International Women’s Day was observed last Wednesday at our club with a panel of women consisting of Jessica Hill – President of Regional Economic Development Initiative, Dr. Donna Prudhomme – Beaumont Independent School District, Tiffany Parker – Lamar Institute of Technology, Katie Celli – Golden Triangle Business Roundtable, Shareen Larmond – President of West Gulf Marine Association, Pamela Wise – Workforce Solutions of SETX, and E. Annette Hernandez – Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lamar University. The panel was chaired by Nakisha Burns – Beaumont Area Public and Government Affairs Manager with ExxonMobil.

The panel addressed questions posed by members of the club covering different areas of the local community regarding preparation of students and our workforce for the many job opportunities opening in our area over the next several years in light of the $80+ billion of projects planned for the area.

From the questions answered by the panel it was obvious there is a concerted effort in our schools and the local industry organizations to train and prepare our local students and workforce to be prepared for the job opportunities that will be available over the next decade. The hope is that more of our graduates will be qualified to fill the abundant opportunities available in our area which will keep them in the area instead of taking the first train out to seek opportunities elsewhere.