Pasadena City College Explores the ‘Future of Work’ in Innovative Conference

The future is here when Pasadena City College’s innovative “Future of Work” Conference takes off at 8 a.m. Thursday at its campus at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

This fifth annual conference, organized by PCC’s  Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) Division, shows how educational institutions play a pivotal role in equipping students for the evolving landscape in the world of work.

Themed “Revolutionizing Worker Pathways,” this year’s conference stands out for its commitment to inclusivity, bringing together students, faculty, workforce leaders, community college colleagues, and labor groups to collaborate in improving pathways to the workforce and ensuring equitable student success across the state.

Last week, Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at the Economic and Workforce Development Division, said the conference hopes to come up with actionable strategies to help community colleges better prepare students for the modern workforce.

The conference will cover aligning California’s workforce programs with career technical education and trade unions, adapting student success innovations to meet 21st-century demands, and fostering collaboration among community colleges to align with industry priorities.

The conference will feature notable keynote speakers, such as Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, who will provide valuable insights into building resilient and agile career pathways. Anne Miskey, President and CEO of Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, will address the potential for workforce development to create economic mobility pathways for individuals experiencing homelessness in her closing keynote. 

Two panel discussions will have Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Director Kelly LoBianco of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, Executive Secretary Ernesto Medrano of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, and Nicole Feenstra, Founder of The DNA Agency. 

The other speakers include 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.

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

For the first time, the Future of Work conference this year will include the awarding of the L.A. Changemaker Award, given to a trailblazer in Los  Angeles County who has made a significant impact in workforce development and student success. 

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