Federal Labor Leader Visits CSN to Talk Workforce

Workforce development can sound like a policy phrase. On Sept. 1, it looked like education, industry and government leaders coming together with one shared goal: helping Southern Nevadans prepare for good careers.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling visited the Debra March Center of Excellence in Henderson to see how CSN and its partners are building the region’s workforce pipeline.

The visit helped kick off Workforce Development Month and placed a spotlight on advanced manufacturing, one of the industries creating new opportunities across Southern Nevada.

CSN President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein joined Sonderling, Workforce Connections Executive Director Jaime Cruz and representatives from key community and industry partners for the visit.

Much of the conversation focused on a simple but important reality: Workforce training cannot happen in a silo.

It takes colleges, school districts, employers, workforce agencies and local governments working together to help students understand which careers are available and gain the skills needed to pursue them.

The Debra March Center of Excellence is one example of that approach in action. Developed through a partnership between CSN and the City of Henderson, the center serves as a hub for advanced manufacturing education, hands-on training and industry engagement.

Partnerships with the City of Henderson, the Clark County School District and Haas Automation were among those highlighted during the visit. Together, these relationships help create clearer pathways from high school to college and, ultimately, into the workforce.

For students, that can mean learning on industry-relevant equipment, building skills employers are actively seeking and seeing a more direct connection between the classroom and a career.

For employers, it means having a role in developing the local talent needed to support Southern Nevada’s continued growth.

The visit also underscored CSN’s role as a bridge between students and the industries looking for skilled workers. By working closely with employers and community partners, the college can continue adapting its programs to meet changing workforce needs while helping more students find meaningful career opportunities close to home.

Sonderling’s Southern Nevada visit also included a workforce roundtable at the Vegas Chamber with employers and leaders from K-12 education, higher education and the community.

The message throughout the day was clear: Building a strong workforce is a team effort, and CSN is helping bring that team together.

Viewable photos can be found here