UNITE-LA is creating opportunities for business leaders to shape conversations about workforce challenges affecting employers and workers across California. Through recent engagements at the California Workforce Association’s Meeting of the Minds conference and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Annual Convention, UNITE-LA is bringing industry perspectives into workforce strategies and connecting leaders with resources and partnerships that strengthen workforce stability and expand pathways to employment.

At the California Workforce Association’s Meeting of the Minds conference, UNITE-LA joined the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board, Goodwill Southern California, and CareerWise USA to lead a discussion on the City of Los Angeles’ Apprenticeship Ecosystem Blueprint. Partners explored how stronger coordination among employers, education providers, and workforce organizations can scale apprenticeships, address talent needs, and expand access to paid, work-based training. The conversation also examined employer and job seeker experiences, identifying opportunities to reduce barriers and improve coordination. These insights will inform the Blueprint’s implementation plan, collaboration framework, and practitioner resources.

UNITE-LA also joined the Bay Area Council and Jobs for the Future (JFF) at the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Annual Convention to discuss how changing immigration policies and increased federal enforcement affect workforce participation, business operations, and economic mobility for immigrant workers and their families. UNITE-LA shared its Business Leader’s Guide, which helps employers navigate the changing immigration landscape and support their businesses and immigrant workers.

Together, these engagements demonstrate UNITE-LA’s commitment to elevating business perspectives and translating workforce challenges into practical resources, stronger partnerships, and more effective career pathways.

For more information, please reach out to Amber Chatman, Senior Director of Workforce Systems and Policy, at [email protected].