An intermediary can help broker effective relationships between key stakeholders, such as educational institutions, community organizations and the business sector, providing additional capacity and expertise to support curriculum alignment and the broader supports needed for workforce success with evolving labor market needs. It is important to purposely align regional business and education/training organizations to continuously co-develop data-driven strategies for inclusive local talent development and regional prosperity.
Business is our most powerful ally to address these challenges. Yet, without a supportive network, business organizations and corporate leaders can be an inconsistent voice, especially at the local level, where small business owners and regional subsidiaries face daily pressures on their bottom line.
UNITE-LA provides an opportunity for business to work collectively with diverse community stakeholders to ensure development of local talent, particularly individuals from disinvested Black and Brown communities, as well as Opportunity Youth - 16 to 24-year-olds who are disconnected from school and work. Coordinated attention to education, workforce development and racial equity will positively drive regional economic prosperity.
WHO WE ARE
UNITE-LA is a leading, nonprofit organization serving as a trusted partner, bridging and building relationships between the business and education communities for nearly 25 years on cradle-to-career policy and systemic issues facing low-income communities.
UNITE-LA's unique value-add is our approach to engaging the business community as an uncommon ally in cross-sector education and workforce policy, systems and program efforts through trust building, education, joint advocacy and strategic partnerships.
The organization leads, supports and informs collaborative efforts, including early care and education, college access and success, and pathways to careers with livable and/or family-sustaining wages for individuals we serve from underserved communities regionally, statewide and nationally.
UNITE-LA works to combat structural racism, dismantle systemic barriers that create disadvantages for Black and Brown communities, and ensure equitable access to high-quality education and careers. The current and future workforce thrive when public educational systems and government work alongside business partners to create more equitable, diverse and inclusive pathways representing local talent pipelines.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
With more than 25 years of experience serving as a business and education broker, UNITE-LA is uniquely positioned to support the business community in making education, talent development, and inclusive economies supporting diverse and equitable communities, a top priority for the region.
Employer Partners Advancing Inclusive Outcomes
We offer various opportunities for companies to partner with UNITE-LA and volunteer to advance more equitable education and workforce development outcomes for prioritized populations reflective of L.A.’s diverse communities.
UNITE-LA supports employers in championing opportunities for young people through a wide range of engagement initiatives. These include designing industry-focused, work-based learning models, advocating for equitable education and workforce development outcomes, and providing expert insights to help companies reimagine their strategies for attracting and retaining talent.
Business Organizations as Education & Workforce Advocacy Champions
Chambers of commerce and business organizations can be especially helpful as cross-sector collaborators to elevate the business perspective to drive equitable policy, practice and systems changes for effective education and workforce solutions. UNITE-LA provides business organizations with additional capacity and expertise to ensure successful education and workforce development advocacy and engagement. With our support, your organization may:
Gain valuable advocacy support by leveraging our expertise to engage on critical cradle-through-career issues impacting business.
Elevate your organization as a thought partner in front of local, state and national, elected officials and lend your voice for education reform and legislation to improve outcomes for youth and the future workforce.
Fold comprehensive cradle-through-career education into your organization's annual policy priorities.
Activate and engage your board and members as vocal champion advocates for much-needed EDWD policy and investments in California.
Support your members' talent development needs by connecting them to industry partnership programs in education training and accelerated occupational pathways.
Share workforce needs with postsecondary and TK-12 institutions to ensure the talent pipeline is aligned to necessary job skills.
Gain access to key resources, industry experts and thought leaders.
To learn more and create impact:
Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, Senior Director, Regional Business Engagement, at [email protected].
To get engaged in our national efforts, contact Dexter Freeman, Senior Director, Education Business Coalitions, at [email protected].
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Shelby McNabb, Director, Development, at [email protected].
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION PARTNERS
UNITE-LA prides itself on providing a non-partisan, "safe space" to work on creating real change for our children and youth and their families. As such, we know collaboration across institutions and systems is necessary to solve the complex, large-scale education and workforce development challenges facing our region. We appreciate the trusted support and partnership of the business organizations below:*
- Alliance for SoCal Innovation
- American Immigration Council
- Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)
- Bay Area Council
- Business Leaders United
- CA FWD and California Stewardship Network (CSN)
- CA Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
- CalAsian Chamber of Commerce
- California African American Chamber of Commerce
- Central City Association
- Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce
- East Bay Economic Development Alliance
- Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
- Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
- Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
- Los Angeles Business Council
- Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers
- Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
- Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce
- Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
- Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
- National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles (NAWBO-LA)
- North Bay Leadership Council
- New California Coalition
- Orange County Business Council
- Regional Economic Association Leaders (R.E.A.L.) Coalition
- Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
- San Dimas Chamber of Commerce
- San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce
- San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
- Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Rosa Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Silicon Valley Leadership Group
- Small Business Diversity Network
- Small Business Majority
- Valley Economic Alliance
- Valley Industry & Commerce Association
- Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation
- Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce - Orange County
- Westside Council of Chambers of Commerce (WC3)
*The views, information or opinions expressed by the organizations are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent those of UNITE-LA.