Workforce and Economic Development

Strengthening California’s workforce development efforts

Calbright, in partnership with industry experts, builds custom curriculum around in-demand skills that plug directly into California’s vibrant knowledge economy.

Bridging the gap between employers and potential employees is part of our DNA. We were created to work with employers, hiring managers, and workforce development organizations to identify in-demand and growing areas within the knowledge economy, create programs that help Californians prepare to enter those fields, and offer this training through our accessible and affordable competency-based model. We partner with organizations across the state to deliver what’s needed to grow our economy, offering students a better chance at success in today’s labor market and employers access to talent that’s ready to do the job on day one.

The Calbright Skills Engine

Instead of preparing students for a specific role within only one company, our programs are designed to help students enter fields that span across multiple sectors. These positions operate within an ecosystem, so when a student enters the workforce, they have the foundation in place upon which to build a career.

Workforce and Education Ecosystem

At Calbright, we are dedicated to expanding our reach and impact through collaboration with the entire workforce ecosystem. Engaging with this ecosystem strengthens our effectiveness and provides a foundation for collaboration to help us fulfill our mission of increasing economic mobility and closing equity gaps for working adults while preparing them for fulfilling careers.

Our interactions with this ecosystem involve relational strategies to better understand unique characteristics, pain points, and alignment challenges that may prevent full optimization of Californians vast Workforce and Education Ecosystem. This approach allows us to effectively engage with each channel, working together as Calbright partners to achieve our shared goals.

Our Program Methodology

Research

We begin by thoroughly understanding industry needs—both current and future. This involves identifying job locations, sector growth trends, valued certifications, and assessing how many Californians are ready to fill these roles.

Collaborate

Calbright’s programs are guided by advisory councils of hiring managers and business leaders who pinpoint essential skills. Our instructional designers use this input, combined with their expertise, to craft a curriculum that equips students to excel and apply their skills in the workplace.

Launch and Iterate

In a fast-changing economy, industry best practices evolve quickly. We continuously update our coursework and materials to keep students engaged with the most current lessons and ensure their learning stays relevant.

Facilitate

Our career coaches support students from start to finish, preparing them for interviews and helping them apply their skills professionally, ensuring they’re job-ready on day one after completing their program.

Our partners

A crucial aspect of Calbright’s program development model is industry expertise, which identifies new opportunities for upskilling and gaps in current recruiting efforts. We are proud to partner with the following organizations:

Upskilling: Cultivating talent for a thriving workforce

In today’s changing job market, Calbright College partners with employers to upskill workers, allowing them to gain new skills while staying in their roles. This helps businesses retain talent and meet future needs.

Apprenticeships: Building tomorrow’s workforce together

Partner with Calbright College to access skilled talent. Our apprenticeship programs connect employers with qualified candidates, creating a steady flow of well-trained employees.

Connect with the Workforce and Economic Development Team

If you’re interested in partnering with Calbright or would like to learn more about the work we do, we’d love to hear from you. Please use the form below to send us a message, and a member of our team will be in touch.