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.”

Wolski said that technology will be the game changer, and EWC is in a perfect position to take advantage of that opportunity.
He noted that not all students go to the University of Wyoming for a four-year degree, but those who do, tend to leave the state for employment. On the other hand, community college graduates tend to stay in the area.
“You used to have to have an advanced skill, but that is changing and EWC and other community colleges are in an excellent position to take advantage of that,” Wolski said. “There are going to be some great opportunities, and I think EWC can lead the charge.”
He noted that EWC has an opportunity to set its own agenda, and find the niches that it could fill.
That will require skilled instructors to produce those skilled employees, and a skilled person to establish relationships with local businesses to sell the sevices at the college, Wolski said.
“It’s going to take a Workforce Development director at EWC,” Harpstreith said. “There’s no reason we can’t make it happen.”
Both encouraged the board to be creative in finding the right person to secure funding and build the program. They suggested working with the local Workforce Development office, which could be a connection to WFD offices across the state. Monitoring and working with Wyoming legislators is also vital to creating a successful program.
“You’re missing the boat on securing funding for Workforce Development, without that connection,” Harpstreith stated.
“We hear you,” said EWC Board Chairman John Patrick. “And we’d love to have you help us. The problem is funding.”
Harpstreith and Wolski made several suggestions, including more contact with state legislators, as well as possibly combining forces with the other community colleges to secure legislative support to hire one person for one year to help secure funding for all community colleges.
“Wyoming has large reserves,” Wolski said, adding that the Legislature should invest some of those reserves in the community colleges, where a skilled work force could
be developed.
He noted that the head of the Community College Commission is from Lingle, and understands the issues in rural communities.
“We could collaboratively come together and get a bigger bang for our buck,” Wolski offered.
“EWC is our number one partner when we’re promoting our community,” Harpstreith said. “More businesses means more people.”
Following the work session, EWC President Lesley Travers supported efforts to work with ENDOW.
“ENDOW will allow the state some great opportunities to provide diversification of our Wyoming workforce,” Travers said. “As a community college, this will afford us the chance to offer employers additional training. ENDOW will give us even more reason to connect with our local and regional business partners, but also to define their needs and how EWC can assist with those business and training
opportunities.”