Photo via Superior Mayor Mila Besich LinkedIn
(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Pinal Partnership and Resolution Copper.)
By Jodie Newell | Pinal Central
A panel discussing the state of education and the workforce in Pinal County said the recurring theme facing industries is the challenge of obtaining suitably skilled workers to operate in a high-tech environment.
The breakfast discussion was hosted by Pinal Partnership at Robson Ranch on Friday. President and CEO Craig McFarland facilitated the discussion with local industry and education heads that included: Mila Besich, Superior mayor; Mike Cruz, head of state public policy for Lucid Motors; Jackie Elliott, president of Central Arizona College; Ryan Kantautas, LG Energy Solution chief human resources officer; and Joel Millman, interim director of Pinal County Economic and Workforce Development Department.
Kantautas told the gathering that a key challenge for local employers is the continual struggle of locating skilled workers.
“Ironically, it really hasn’t changed over the past 10 years that we see nationally and that we see down in Pinal County, which is the need for more technically qualified workers and how do we generate that talent,” Kantautas said.
“There’s so many new employers coming here in Pinal County, that’s what they’re all looking for. The biggest educational challenge is encouraging kids to get into the trades, get into the technical programs. That’s what most employers are struggling to find.”
