The San Patricio County Commissioners Court on Tuesday proclaimed October 2025 as Careers in Energy Week to highlight career pathways in the energy industry and local workforce development.

County Judge David Krebs read a proclamation noting the role of the energy sector in the local economy and encouraging programs to connect students with jobs in energy. The proclamation recognizes the contributions of the energy workforce and calls for partnerships between industry, education and community organizations.

Stephanie Hadechick, founder of the nonprofit This Ones for the Gals, described the organization's efforts to take local middle- and high-school girls to an industry-focused conference in Galveston and to connect them with local employers and training opportunities.

Hadechick said she began the effort after seeing a gap between industry and K-12 education and that the program expanded quickly: "by the time I was done as I started just kind of making connections and reaching out to different industry partners, I got over 200 girls to that conference that very first year. Every school in San Pat County plus Rockport Fulton and Orifrio." She described the program as focused on "awareness and opportunity and helping our kids just learn about careers right here, right outside their backdoor."

Why it matters: The proclamation and Hadechick's remarks emphasize local workforce development in a county where the energy sector is a major employer and where community groups and industry leaders are collaborating to build career pipelines.

What happened: The court voted to approve the proclamation. Commissioners voiced support; the motion carried.