EWC future tied to workforce development

TORRINGTON – Eastern Wyoming College is in an ideal position to contribute to the success of ENDOW programs, according to representatives of the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation.
During a work session prior to the Jan. 9 EWC Board of Trustees meeting, Ashley Harpstreith, CEO, and Wally Wolski, a member of the GCEDC and the ENDOW Task Force, explained how important ENDOW could be to EWC.
“A skilled workforce is important to the future of Wyoming,” Harpstreith said. “And creating that workforce can be a money-maker for you.”
She continued to explain some of the proposals that will probably be considered by the Wyoming Legislature when it convenes the Budget Session on Feb. 12, and how they could benefit the college. Harpstreith noted that a skilled workforce is a major factor in Wyoming’s future.                   
“The number one issue in Wyoming’s economic development is workforce development,” Harpstreith emphasized. “You have to build a workforce in order to create jobs. We have to learn how to sell that.”
In his turn, Wolski added that one of the first things he discovered as part of the ENDOW team is how important a skilled workforce is. 
“Timing is everything,” he said. “EWC and the ATEC are in a golden opportunity situation at this time.”
According to Wolski, learning to make the most of the opportunity is important to EWC’s future. 
“ENDOW is a 20-year project,” he said. “We’re really at the kindergarten level, learning to make the most of the opportunities it offers.”

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