Economic development and school leaders meet on keeping Grayson County graduates in local jobs

Economic development officials from Sherman and Denison sat down Thursday morning, Nov. 12, with leaders of Grayson College and of the Sherman and Denison school districts to talk about preparing students for jobs in Grayson County, KTEN reported.

The Sherman Economic Development Corporation joined the Denison Development Alliance and their education counterparts for the session, according to the station.

What the schools report

Elizabeth Clayton, who coordinates career and technical education for Sherman ISD, told KTEN that "upward of 90 percent" of Sherman High School students are enrolled in a career and technical pathway. She said students earned more than 550 industry-based certifications last year across the district's 24 programs. KTEN reported that high schools in both cities offer courses from engineering to cosmetology.

Clayton told the station the programs are opening doors to "high-paying jobs, and high-demanding jobs" in the area.

Where development leaders see gaps

Tony Kaai, president of the Denison Development Alliance, said the goal is for young people to build careers locally. "You don't need to go anywhere else; we want you to stay close to home and work here," he told KTEN.

Kaai said there is still room to expand training as more businesses arrive in North Texas. He pointed to hospitality, telling the station that a coming Margaritaville "will include a lot of employees" and that hospitality training will be important for that project and for new restaurants opening in Sherman and Denison.

KTEN reported that leaders hope to extend career programs to younger students. The station did not report any specific new program or funding announced at the meeting.

Sources

KTEN