Workforce shortages, education gaps, and the challenge of connecting job seekers to employers— Louisiana’s labor market is at a crossroads. In this episode of Talk Fiber to Me, Baby, Caleb and Josh Etheridge sit down with Matthew Dickerson, Business Development and Strategy Officer at Mid South Extrusion, to tackle the real state of workforce development in Louisiana and what’s being done to improve it.They’re diving into:- The hiring crisis – Why businesses are struggling to find qualified workers, despite a large pool of able-bodied job seekers.- Government red tape – How bureaucracy is slowing down workforce solutions (and what Louisiana is doing to cut through it).- The Utah "One Door" model – A system that could revolutionize workforce training in Louisiana.- Real solutions – What employers can do today to help bridge the workforce gap.Plus, Matthew shares eye-opening insights from his work with the Louisiana Workforce and Social Service Reform Task Force, including:- Why employability is more than just a résumé skill—it’s a mindset shift.- How businesses can take control of workforce development instead of waiting for the state to fix it.- The surprising ways education policy changes in 2026 will impact Louisiana’s economy.Whether you're a business owner, internet service provider, entrepreneur, policy-maker, or job seeker, this episode is packed with insights, real talk, and solutions you won’t hear in a policy report.Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that shape Louisiana’s future!#LouisianaJobs #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #TalkFiberToMe #Entrepreneurship#JobMarket #WorkforceSolutions #WeAreEPC00:00 The Mystery of Job Titles00:39 Technical Difficulties and Office Humor01:07 Camera Instructions and Podcast Introduction01:51 Meet the Team: Introducing Matt Dickerson02:37 Workforce Development in Louisiana05:26 Challenges in Education and Workforce Awareness09:57 Opportunities at Mid South Extrusion16:53 The Importance of Employability24:23 Challenges Faced by Single Mothers25:00 The Importance of Work25:19 Workforce Development Recommendations27:24 Learning from Utah's One Door Model29:03 Labor Force Participation Statistics31:47 Addressing Social Service System Loopholes35:44 Engaging Industry in Workforce Education39:20 Call to Action for Businesses43:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts