Pasadena City College’s ‘Future of Work’ Conference Aims to Revolutionize Workforce Pathways for Equitable Student Success

At a time when the dynamics of the workforce are rapidly changing, educational institutions are at the forefront of preparing students for these shifts. Pasadena City College is embracing a culture of innovation and inclusivity to redefine the future of work.

Pasadena City College’s Economic and Workforce Development division (EWD) is hosting the fifth annual “Future of Work” Conference on Thursday,  Oct. 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the PCC campus at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

Titled “Revolutionizing Worker Pathways,” the conference this year stands out for its inclusivity, with the goal of uniting students, faculty, workforce leaders, community college colleagues, and labor groups. Its core aim, a PCC statement said, is to innovate workforce pathways to ensure equitable student success throughout California region.

“By bringing together thought leaders in various sectors, we aim to hash out actionable strategies that can transform the way community colleges prepare students for the modern workforce,” Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at the Economic, and Workforce Development Division at PCC, said. “The discussions and panel sessions are designed to uncover pain points, identify opportunities, and chart a roadmap for system-wide change that benefits community college students.” 

Key topics that will be discussed include how to better align California’s workforce programs with career technical education and trade unions, ensuring a more cohesive and effective system, adapting top-tier student success innovations to meet the academic and employer demands of the 21st century, and strategizing collaborations among community colleges to align with national and state industry priorities. 

The event will feature prominent keynote speakers, including Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, whose insights will be invaluable in shaping resilient and agile career pathways. 

Anne Miskey, President and CEO of Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, will address the opportunity for workforce development to create economic mobility pathways for individuals experiencing homelessness.

After the conference, PCC will release a comprehensive report summarizing the key takeaways and action items, serving as a framework for ongoing collaborations and initiatives.

“This will serve as a framework for ongoing collaborations and initiatives, which Pasadena City College will actively champion and monitor,” Thompson said. “We will also have two panel sessions with speakers which provide additional deeper perspective on the intricacies of alignment of major workforce systems and how industry, academia, labor, and  government can work together to boost collaboration and build better career pathways for students and workers.” 

Among the speakers on Panel 1 are Mayor Victor Gordo, Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity; and Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. This will be moderated by Dr. José A. Gómez, PCC’s Interim Superintendent/President.  

Panel 2 speakers include Nicole Feenstra, Founder of The DNA Agency; Dennis Rodriguez, Director of Business Development at Black & Veatch; Kelly Mackey, State Director of Strategic Apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship and Workforce Innovation Unit of the California Department of Industrial Relations; and Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Chancellor in the Los Angeles Community College District. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President at the EWD Division at PCC, is moderating. 

PCC said the Future of Work Conference is a significant platform to discuss vital workforce development strategies and forge collaborations that benefit community college students, preparing them for the ever-evolving demands of the modern workforce.

For more information and registration, visit https://pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development/events.php.