Red Hat Academy

Workforce Development Summit

Author

SHIFT Enterprise Academy
March 31, 2026

Odigo Learning in partnership with SHIFT Enterprise Academy is hosting a workforce development summit on the campus of Texas A&M University, Thursday, April 2, 2026. We have a few seats left to fill, so I am personally sharing the invite and detailed agenda with the SHIFT community. If you know someone who should be in this room, please have them submit an RSVP to [email protected] no later than Wednesday at 5pm.

SHIFT continues to work strategically aligned initiatives that impact economic development both home and abroad.

Respectfully,

Ethan Brisby

Founder & Executive Director

Agenda & Working Session Framework

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Welcome, Program Overview & The “Why”

Objective:
Frame the Red Hat Academy model and align stakeholders around the workforce challenge and opportunity.

Session Breakdown:

10:00 – 10:15 AM | Introductions & Framing

  • Welcome attendees and introduce cross-sector stakeholders

  • Set expectations: this is a working session, not a lecture

  • Establish shared objective: employer-driven design and outcomes

Desired Outcomes:

  • Employer referrals → Job placement pathways

  • Letters of commitment (template provided)

  • Funding referrals and partnership alignment

10:15 – 10:45 AM | The Red Hat Blueprint

  • Overview of the 10-week cohort model

  • Target: 15–20 students per cohort (Bryan/College Station pilot)

  • Schedule: 3 days per week (2 weekday evenings, 1 Saturday morning)

  • Session length: 3.5 hours

  • Target launch: September 2026

Discussion Prompt:
“What is the true cost of the workforce gap in your business today?”

Impact Framing:
Projected $1M+ cumulative economic impact through workforce alignment and placement.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout Session 1: Recruitment, Retention & Motivation

Focus:
Building sustainable pipelines and reducing early turnover.

Key Areas:

  • Recruitment strategies

  • Retention challenges

  • Wraparound services (health, tutoring, transportation, citizenship pathways)

  • Incentives for completion and long-term engagement

Guiding Question:
Where do new hires struggle most, and why do they leave early?

Interactive Prompt:
“If a student had reliable access to [wraparound service], their chances of completing the program would improve because…”

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Transition & Lunch

Participants gather lunch and return to assigned tables for a structured working session.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Breakout Session 2: Curriculum & Competencies (Working Lunch)

Focus:
Defining the exact skills required for day-one job readiness.

Approach:
Mixed tables of employers, educators, and financial stakeholders to drive cross-sector alignment.

Guiding Questions:

  • What technical and soft skills are missing on day one?

  • What behaviors, standards, and expectations must be met immediately?

  • Which credential pathways should lead this initiative?

Interactive Prompt:
“Before a graduate picks up a tool on day one, they must know how to…”

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM

Transition & Rotation

Participants rotate to final breakout session.

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Breakout Session 3: Funding & Hiring Pathways

Focus:
Aligning capital, incentives, and hiring commitments.

Program Financial Overview:

  • Year 1 Target: $500,000

  • Four Cohort Scale: $2,000,000

  • Startup Capital: $150,000

  • Cost per Student: $4,500

  • Contribution tranches: $50,000 – $100,000

Funding Pathways:

  • Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) alignment

  • Texas Workforce Commission Skills Development Funds

  • General contractor cohort sponsorship

  • Public-private funding models

Hiring Pathways:

  • Direct hiring commitments

  • On-the-Job Training (OJT) externships

  • Employer pipeline development

Guiding Questions:

  • What outcomes justify financial support?

  • What ROI is required for employer participation?

  • Who can host or hire graduates?

Interactive Prompt:
“For companies to sponsor a cohort or host externs, the return they need to see is…”

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Group Synthesis, Commitments & Closing

1:30 – 1:45 PM | Group Readout

  • Facilitators share top 3 insights from each breakout

1:45 – 2:00 PM | The Direct Ask

Participants are asked to make clear commitments:

  • Serve on the Red Hat Academy Advisory Committee

  • Provide Letters of Support

  • Commit to interviewing or hosting graduates

  • Introduce employer partners

  • Facilitate funding conversations

Submit your RSVP to [email protected] 

#END