Los Angeles County's economic future depends on developing local talent. UNITE-LA's Systems Change team works across education, workforce and industry to strengthen the region's talent pipeline and expand education-to-career pathways. We align policies, programs and investments so that our rising workforce can move through clear pathways into high-quality jobs and the region's growing industries are powered by local talent. Our systems change efforts are informed by our college and career pathway programs and strengthened by policy advocacy that addresses root causes and advances solutions at the state and federal level.
PARTNER INITIATIVES
The L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative
As countywide convener, UNITE-LA leads efforts to close racial and gender gaps in postsecondary and career attainment—focusing on pathways in health care, engineering and computer science. The K-16 Collaborative is leveraging existing initiatives and relationships across L.A. County, uniting higher education segments and institutions, K-12 districts and schools, employers and business organizations, local government, and community partners to amplify our collective impact on equitable degree attainment.
L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC) & Horizons 32K
As co-convener of the OYC, UNITE-LA advances education and employment outcomes for transition-age foster youth and helps lead Horizons 32K—a collective effort to reduce disconnection of 32,000 youth by 2028. Horizons 32K is a collaborative, regional strategic plan reducing the number of youth experiencing disconnection from school or work in Los Angeles County through a holistic approach, blending prevention and reengagement strategies.
L.A. Unified Community Schools Initiative (CSI)
UNITE-LA has partnered with L.A. Unified and United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) to scale the community schools’ model, promoting shared leadership, culturally responsive learning, wraparound supports, and strong family and community engagement. The CSI supports student success through a whole child approach, integrating academics with health, social services and community engagement by building on the school community’s unique strengths and needs. The CSI aims to transform systems to support and enhance culturally competent, restorative and holistic learning environments for all L.A. Unified students and families.
Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL)
Co-led by UNITE-LA and the L.A. County Economic Development Corporation, LA DEAL is closing the digital divide by securing solutions and state funding to expand affordable, reliable internet access in underserved communities. LA DEAL’s membership includes cross-sector leaders from business, community-based organizations, education, foundations, government, health care and internet service providers.
Southern California Apprenticeship Network (SCAN)
SCAN is a network of businesses, employers, educators, workforce agencies, CBOs, labor and other interested organizations convening in order to connect diverse stakeholders and develop inclusive apprenticeship programs. SCAN is bridging gaps in the system and expanding access to trained talent, increasing workforce opportunities for the L.A. Region.
OUR MODEL: ADVANCING EQUITY THROUGH THE WATER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE
The "Water of Systems Change" outlines a model for identifying and addressing the underlying conditions holding inequitable outcomes in place. Importantly, these conditions aren’t always explicit and range from policies and relationships to beliefs, which must be shifted for a deeper, lasting impact. The six conditions of systems change are grouped into categories focused on structural, relational and transformative change.
HISTORY OF UNITE-LA’S SYSTEMS CHANGE WORK
Between 2008-2022, UNITE-LA led the L.A. Compact, a regional commitment to closing education and workforce gaps rooted in systemic inequities. Originally focused on addressing LA Unified’s dropout crisis, the Compact eventually expanded in both scope and regional impact to improve pathways between K-12 schools, community colleges and four-year institutions into the workforce. The Compact’s work was guided by five core principals: school readiness, high school graduation, postsecondary attainment, career success and social-emotional well-being. As a result of our work, partners are aligning and improving regional education and workforce systems, leading to better opportunities for regional growth.
REPORTS
OYC Youth-Centered Solutions Report
"Centering Youth, Strengthening Systems" is a groundbreaking report, developed by the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), which dives deep into the persistent barriers preventing opportunity youth from fully participating in workforce development programs. From limited outreach and confusing enrollment processes to misaligned program offerings, the report sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by youth. The study also describes promising, youth-informed solutions, such as warm handoffs between referring adults and workforce staff and youth-centered communication and program design.
Student-Centered Transfer Redesign Process
Over the course of two summers, UNITE-LA worked closely with groups from California State University, Dominguez Hills and California Polytechnic University, Pomona and their respective feeder community colleges to explore institutional data, hear from students, and assess transfer barriers and opportunities. Collectively, participants from transfer offices, academic affairs, admissions, academic departments, and student services identified root causes to problems that students experience and ideated and piloted solutions to support student success. This new report on the student-centered transfer redesign process details what it took for campus partners to come together, critically assess their own policies and practices, and work together to make sustainable changes that have transformed their approach to the transfer system.
2025 Systems Change Impact Report
Systems change is central to advancing equitable economic mobility for L.A. County’s rising workforce, which includes nearly three million children and young adults under age 25. Improving outcomes at this scale requires more than individual programs—it requires strengthening the underlying conditions that shape how young people experience learning, training and career opportunities across the region.
Uncovering the Full Cost of Los Angeles Youth Workforce Development Programs Report
Across the United States, workforce development efforts play a critical role in sustaining local economies while equipping our youth with the skills, resources and support to build meaningful careers and connections. However, funding gaps often leave community-based organizations leading youth workforce development programs unable to pay competitive wages to attract and retain experienced talent who are critical to supporting our youth. The Los Angeles Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC)–convened by the Alliance for Children’s Rights and UNITE-LA–partnered with NFF to research the full costs of workforce development programs and identify key recommendations for the future of youth workforce development programs.
Strengthening L.A.’s Health Care Talent Pipeline
Los Angeles County is home to one of the most diverse and expansive public education systems in the nation. Its health care sector represents both a critical economic engine and a unique opportunity to drive equitable workforce development. As of 2022, the health care services industry employed nearly 500,000 payroll workers in Los Angeles County, accounting for more than 11 percent of the region’s employment. As nearly 42,400 new health care jobs are already expected by 2026, educators play a critical role in guiding students into these growing, stable and often well-compensated fields. However, the systems that prepare students for these roles—K-12, community colleges and universities—face significant challenges in terms of equity, alignment and capacity. This report provides key labor market data and actionable recommendations for educators at every system level.
Empowering California’s Workforce: Strategic Recommendations for Systemic Improvement
This issue brief, commissioned by the Michelson 20MM Foundation, addresses identified challenges by presenting actionable recommendations for philanthropy and policymakers to strengthen CWDE’s outcomes. Drawing from focus groups, roundtable convenings and survey data, the brief provides a comprehensive analysis of CWDE and identifies strategies to enhance its structure and outcomes. While directed at funders and decision-makers, recommendations are designed to impact the entire workforce development field, fostering a more cohesive, equitable and effective ecosystem for all stakeholders.
OUR SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT TEAM
Director, Education Systems Strategy
Manager, Postsecondary Systems & Policy
Senior Manager, Workforce Systems
Administrative & Communications Coordinator, Systems Team
