Snyder ISD participated in the industry panel at Powering the Permian Together: Workforce Readiness, hosted by the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin on October 29 in Odessa. Organizers invited the district after its work to build meaningful student career pathways was highly recommended for a partner spotlight.
The event brought together school districts, higher education and industry leaders to review regional workforce data, hear from an industry panel and work on building a stronger talent pipeline. State Representative Brooks Landgraf gave opening remarks, and Dr. Ray Perryman offered closing perspective.
The invitation recognized work made possible through strong local partnerships. Superintendent Dr. Jessica Gore was joined by Dr. Laurie Sharp with Western Texas College, Cogdell Memorial Hospital, and Development Corporation of Snyder Executive Director Barbara Leatherwood. Together, they shared how their collaboration is expanding student opportunities and connecting education with local workforce needs.
The discussion highlighted the expansion of health science programs, from phlebotomy to Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) opportunities, along with new pre-nursing courses coming through WTC. These pathways help students connect their high school education with further training and careers in health care.
This work directly supports Snyder ISD’s Strategic Plan and its commitment to preparing students for life beyond graduation, strengthening community partnerships and creating meaningful opportunities to explore future careers. As the district builds relationships with local employers and responds to regional economic growth, these partnerships help ensure students are prepared to take advantage of new opportunities.
Participating in the event gave Snyder ISD a seat at the table to help shape workforce readiness across the region while learning from other districts and industry partners. The conversation reinforced a shared goal: connecting education and workforce planning to create meaningful opportunities for students and a stronger future for our community.