Industry leaders address talent gaps, AI adoption at Hutto Chamber forum

“What I like to tell people, especially the early career folks, is you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work in a rocket company,” Spruce said. “We hire welders. We hire people who sew. It's almost like arts and crafts, right? You might be really good at laying up composites.”

Reeser said 40% of recent bachelor’s degree graduates are working jobs that do not require a college credential.

“We have a chronic underemployment problem,” Reeser said. “You look at the data in Texas, and what you find is we are producing the right number of graduates, but what we aren't producing is the right blend or mix of output. It's mismatched to the job market. So I would suggest that typically happens because people pick their college pathway, they do it based on notions, like how good is the football team as opposed to what is the job I'm going to get if I study in a particular field.”

When asked about AI, Spruce said people have to treat AI as an intern.

“It doesn't know very much,” Spruce said. “It doesn't know your business that well. It doesn't make good decisions always. Sometimes it's wrong. So, you need to treat it that way.”

Additionally, Reeser noted that AI is not replacing people, but rather replacing people who do not know how to use AI. Panelists suggested it be treated as a developing tool rather than a total replacement for human expertise.