Education Supports the Workforce Development in Larimer County
Eric Thompson, Campus President of IBMC College Fort Collins, and local educational experts explore the key roles schooling and career training play in shaping the local community’s workforce, as expert guest panelists at the WIB Board meeting Wednesday morning.
Eric Thompson, Campus President of IBMC College in Fort Collins, and area leaders in education were invited to serve as a guest panelist at the Larimer County Investment’s Board (WIB) meeting on April 9th, offering valuable insight into the following topic: “How Education Supports Workforce Development.”
This session’s meeting was held at the Larimer County Courthouse.
The WIB Board represents private sector employers, education, government and community-based organizations, which are committed to using workforce development strategies to positively impact the economic well-being of the Larimer County region.
Invited panelists included these key figures:
- Kathy Mackay, Principal, Poudre School District
- Jeremy Podany, Director of The Career Center & Enterprise Student Partner Program, Colorado State University
- Bob Steiner, Vice President Board of Director, Education and Life Training Center
- Eric Thompson, Fort Collins Campus President, IBMC College
- Bruce Walthers, Vice President, Front Range Community College
The guest panel was asked to explain how each of their local organizations supports workforce development and strengthens collaborative efforts with area businesses. Thompson took the opportunity to further explain IBMC College’s role in the Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming regions:
“For the past 27 years, IBMC College has provided our students with a high-quality educational experience. We gain feedback from our Advisory Board members, comprised of area businesses, on the specific skill sets they are looking for when making hiring decisions. In return, IBMC College adjusts our curriculum to meet industry demands and supply hundreds of local companies with externs at no-cost and provide trained, ready-to-work graduates each year. This partnership is a win-win for all involved.” Eric Thompson, Fort Collins Campus President, IBMC College
Additional subject matters included staying relevant in the industry, current challenges, sharing organizational successes and explanations on how the WIB Board could be of assistance to each of the panelist’s places of business.
For details regarding the Larimer County Workforce Investment Board, call (970) 498-6605 or visit www.larimerworkforce.org/wib.
To learn more about IBMC College’s career training programs in Fort Collins, visit ibmc.edu or call (970) 223-2669.
