Cedar Park schedules first workforce summit for Sept. 24 to connect employers with training providers

Staff announced the city's first Cedar Park Work Summit for Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Park Square facilities. The event is intended to connect local employers with workforce and training partners, and staff said the city has signed a contract securing the location.

The nut graf: The summit is aimed at filling local employer talent gaps by linking Cedar Park businesses with training providers, two-year technical programs and four-year institutions; staff emphasized the event is focused on Cedar Park employers.

Staff said Mayor Jim will open the program and that Texas Workforce Commissioner Joe Esparza will be a keynote speaker to discuss workforce incentives and grants available through the Texas Workforce Commission. Williamson County Judge Snell, who has an education background, is scheduled to introduce the education panel. The training-provider panel will include Capital IDEA, Workforce Solutions, Rural Capital Area, Goodwill Certification Center, Army Futures Command and Skillpoint Alliance, according to staff. The education panel will include Texas State Technical College, Texas State (Round Rock and San Marcos campuses), the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, Concordia University and Leander ISD.

Staff said 41 employer invitations have been sent and that employers have until Aug. 24 to RSVP. When asked whether the summit would include employers beyond Cedar Park, staff replied the event is for Cedar Park employers, though panelists serve broader areas.

Ending: Staff said the summit will proceed as planned and that they will continue outreach to secure employer RSVPs ahead of the Aug. 24 deadline.