West Hills Community College District will host the fifth session in its premier public and private policy series Essential Elements on Nov. 2 and 3.

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The two-day session, titled Powering Sustainable Economic Development for the San Joaquin Valley, will explore issues of water, food, energy, goods movement and the regional economy. The sessions will also explore the role of career and technical education in powering sustainable economic development, with the goal of creating high wage, high rigor employment in the Central Valley.

“Global needs require Central Valley responses,” Dr. Stuart Van Horn, the interim president at West Hills College Coalinga, said in a statement. “This is what Essential Elements is all about. It enables state and regional leaders to collaborate and find and take action steps for the San Joaquin Valley’s sustainability.”

Speakers at the session include: Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Glenda Humiston, vice president of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Jim Mayer, president of CEO of California Forward; Catherine Sandoval of the California Public Utilities Commission; Scott Campbell, vice president of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning; and Micheal McIntyre, president and chief operating officer of AcademyOne, Inc.

Panels will be offered on topics including agriculture technology, job growth and training a field-ready workforce.

The session will also include a special presentation on AgForHire, an app developed by West Hills Community Coalinga student Alex Avalos, and a live teaching demonstration and reception at the West Hill Community College Farm of the Future.

To register or for more information about the event, visit www.essentialelementsseries.com.