What is Celebrate Education

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In the coming year, Celebrate Education will grow to include two new special sections, Simpson said. One special publication will highlight jobs in the Panhandle and the education required. The other publication will feature Amarillo-area employers who are helping youth develop a career vision, such as through internships or mentoring programs.

A new media partnership with KFDA NewsChannel 10 and its sister stations, KZBZ and KTMO Telemundo will help convey the message to other parts of the community, Simpson said.

Panhandle Twenty/20's study brought attention to an important issue, said Buzz David, president and chief executive of the Amarillo Economic Development Corp.

"We had a large drop-out level and a low attainment level in a lot of circles," David said. "Now you've seen it in writing. I look at Celebrate Education as a first step."

Increasing the education levels of Panhandle residents will help to improve wages and fill a need for employers who have a difficult time finding workers with the necessary education, training and work ethic, David said.

Another effort is under way with PRO, a new Web site developed by the Amarillo Independent School District, Amarillo College and the Amarillo Economic Development Corp. The Web site for "Pursuing Real Opportunities" provides information on jobs in demand in the Panhandle, including those that do not require a traditional four-year degree. The targeted industries are architecture and construction, finance, manufacturing, and transportation, distribution and logistics.

"They need people from this area who want to have a good career here," David said. "A community like this that is physically more isolated needs to work hard at building a workforce."

Rod Schroder, superintendent for Amarillo Independent School District, spent much of his time on Panhandle Twenty/20's study on the "Economic Implications of Low Levels of Educational Attainment." Celebrate Education continues to keep the need for everyone to graduate from high school and receive post-secondary training in the forefront, Schroder said.

The school district's efforts include allowing school counselors to visit businesses and expanding a mentor program that gives students the opportunity to learn about occupations, Schroder said. The district's Career and Technical Education Program director is working to expand and change programs to meet the needs of local businesses.

In meeting with business executives, Schroder has learned more about the barriers to employment for new hires. Business leaders continued to emphasize the need for skills in computing and reading, as well as soft skills, such as in customer service, work ethic and arriving to work on time.

"Criminal records, drug records and bad credit prevent a lot of people from getting the job they want," Schroder said.

Partners of Celebrate Education for 2009 are Amarillo Area Foundation, Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Bell Helicopter, McDonald’s, Park Central, United Supermarkets, Woodlands and West Texas A&M University. Other partners are the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Amarillo College and BSA Health System. The program also involves Education Credit Union, Hastings, Street Toyota, Maxor Corporation, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and media partners, the Amarillo Globe-News, KFDA NewsChannel 10, KZBZ and KTMO Telemundo.