Sierra College Hosts California Forward and Regional Partners for Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Event

October 24, 2024
Group shot of CalForward event attendees and students

On October 8, Sierra College welcomed members of the California Forward (CA FWD) organization along with regional leaders from education and business to its Rocklin campus for a collaborative event focused on building a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the Sacramento region’s growing manufacturing sector.

“If you want to accomplish great things, surround yourself with people and partners who are naturally inclined to say, ‘Yes, we can do that,’ and then figure out how to get it done,” said Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan. “As a college and as a region, we have been able to accomplish great things in our education and workforce training efforts by starting with a mindset of ‘yes’ and I am excited to continue this approach to problem-solving in the future.”

The event featured a tour of Sierra College’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Mechatronics, Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, and Makerspace departments. Representatives of Sierra College, Bosch, Roseville Joint Unified High School District, Greater Sacramento Economic Development Council and Valley Vision also convened for a panel discussion that emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in developing programs that align with industry demands and create pathways for well-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector.

The discussion highlighted how partnerships between educational institutions, industry leaders, and economic development organizations are vital to addressing the region’s immediate workforce needs and preparing for future growth. Sierra College has been a pioneer in this collaborative approach, actively investing in programs and partnerships to build a skilled workforce for employers such as Bosch, Siemens Mobility, and new manufacturers in the area.

“Regional collaboration and dialogue among educators, employers and the continuum of workforce development organizations is vital to building connections between employers looking for talent and students seeking quality jobs in our region,” said Amy Schulz, Executive Dean of Workforce and Strategic Initiatives for Sierra College. “Sierra College is honored to help foster this collaboration with our partners, especially in fields like advanced manufacturing where there is so much exciting momentum in our region.”

Ongoing Collaborative Efforts

The event is part of a broader, strategic effort by Sierra College and its partners to develop and sustain a robust workforce pipeline for the region. Earlier this year, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Governor’s Council for Career Education, visited Sierra College’s workforce programs to see how they are empowering students with training for lucrative, in-demand careers. During her visit, the First Partner engaged with students in the Mechatronics program, a course designed specifically to meet the needs of local industries.

In June, the Sierra Workforce Summit, held at Sierra College’s Rocklin Campus, brought together representatives from major employers and education providers throughout Placer County to develop strategies to prepare youth and adults for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. The summit focused on addressing challenges such as skill gaps, hard-to-fill positions, and the integration of new technologies in the workplace. Summit partners continue to collaborate to establish, measure and reach regional goals for education, career exploration and pathways, workforce training and upskilling for current workers, among other goals.

For more information on Sierra College’s workforce programs, please contact Amy Schulz at aschulz1@sierracollege.edu.

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information is at www.sierracollege.edu.

About California Forward (CA FWD)

California Forward (CA FWD) is a nonprofit organization that leads a statewide movement to foster inclusive, sustainable growth by bringing together communities, regions, and diverse interests to improve governance and economic opportunity. By driving collective action, CA FWD identifies scalable solutions to address California’s economic, environmental, and social challenges. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all Californians can benefit from the state’s prosperity through collaborative and forward-thinking initiatives.