Systems Change Highlights: Uncovering Gaps in California’s Workforce Development Ecosystem

With support from the Michelson 20MM Foundation, UNITE-LA convened workforce development practitioners and leaders across California’s workforce ecosystem to identify gaps and challenges in supporting individuals’ access to family-sustaining careers. The exploration aimed to uncover strategic opportunities for impactful philanthropic and legislative investments. Early findings showed barriers such as funding inadequacies, misalignment between training and labor market demands, participant readiness gaps, and limited collaboration between public and private stakeholders, perpetuating inequities in the workforce for marginalized communities.

In addition, UNITE-LA held roundtable discussions with business leaders, educators and labor representatives to identify actionable solutions. Additionally, a focus group with community-based organizations working with underserved populations provided crucial bottom-up perspectives on participant barriers and needs.

Insights will inform a comprehensive issue brief scheduled for publication in February 2025, outlining solutions to enhance workforce development, particularly for underrepresented low-income and BIPOC communities. By fostering collaboration and advocating for systemic change, UNITE-LA aims to create equitable pathways to economic opportunity for all Californians.

For more information, please reach out to Edgar Castillo, Senior Manager of Workforce Development Systems and Policy, at [email protected].

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