Letter to the Editor submitted to Dallas Morning News

Dear Editor:

The ongoing discussion about Texas education raises an important point: many Texas employers are facing a shortage of qualified workers. The situation is especially acute in the manufacturing sector.

In order to fill the manufacturing sector’s shortage of qualified, available workers, we need to ensure Texans are educated, well trained and equipped for the complexity and rigors of today’s economy.

The manufacturing sector, which remains a pillar of our state’s economy, needs workers with a wide array of skills, from welders to engineers and pipe fitters to chemists.  And, these manufacturing jobs, regardless of their specialty, provide an average annual salary of more than $70,000.

But, to fill jobs in the manufacturing sector, we need flexibility in our education system that ensures Texas students graduate high school well-equipped for the 21^st century workforce.

Whatever paths our young people wish to take after high school, whether to a technical or community college or other post-secondary education, there must be rigor across the board for all students and curriculum that better connects learning with jobs in the real world.

Sincerely,
Joe Arnold
TAM Workforce Committee Chairman