Workforce & Education

Central California connects employers to the people, training and education needed to build a competitive workforce. Central California’s workforce advantage begins with scale, but it does not end there. Across Kern, Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Madera and Merced counties, a regional labor force of nearly 1.4 million people is supported by career technical education, community colleges, universities, workforce development organizations and employer-led training programs. Together, these resources give companies more than access to workers. They provide a system that can recruit candidates, develop specialized skills and create customized training aligned with real jobs. For manufacturers, food processors, logistics companies and other growing industries, that responsiveness matters. New technology is changing the skills employers require, often faster than traditional education and training models can respond. Central California is meeting that challenge by bringing employers and educators to the same table.