In 2015, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas (WSNCT) participated in a local collaborative initiative with the Frisco Economic Development Corporation. This innovative industry sector outreach sparked discussion of workforce needs for local high-tech businesses, particularly those in the gaming industry.
Private-sector employers (including PVP Live, Gearbox and MAGNIN & Associates), an industry association (International Game Developers Association), representatives from the Governor Abbott's Economic Development and Tourism Office and Representative Scott Turner's Office, and educational partners including Southern Methodist University and Collin College participated in the initiative. The goal is to identify solutions to address industry needs for the digital technology industry sector and to gather information from industry representatives on their most pressing workforce needs. The discussion between WSNCT, employers and community leaders, established the WSNCT High-Tech Sector Development Plan, "Inspire North Texas."
WSNCT's Frisco area Business Development Liaison (BDL) leads the Information and Computer Technology industry sector efforts.
In addition to facilitating an agreement with Gearbox, WSNCT connected with 10 high-tech industry companies, including L3, Raytheon, Innovation First, Code Authority, NTEC, The WERX McKinney, HCL America, Guild of Software Architects, Transplace, and Captured Dimensions. Inspire North Texas strengthens Board-Employer relationships and will provide networking opportunities for high-tech professionals, allowing them to guide innovative initiatives to best serve their workforce needs. The BDL arranged an HCL America (IT Services and Solutions Company) employer job fair and served as a resource to our community college partner, Collin College.
The Board-level grassroots industry sector outreach approach has enabled WSNCT to tap into the high-tech network, foster growth, build Board-Employer relations, and gain insight to create and tailor innovative solutions to employer needs.
