Construction Trades and Utilities Advisory
Join Us for a Construction Trades and Utilities Advisory!
As our region continues to grow, the need for skilled workers in construction and utilities is rising fast. From infrastructure upgrades and clean energy expansion to new technologies shaping how we build and power our communities, this advisory will bring industry leaders together to ensure that training programs keep pace.
The event will feature an overview of local labor market trends from the Centers of Excellence and regional insights from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Additionally, a moderated employer panel will also focus on workforce challenges, career pathways, and how we can better prepare students for high-quality careers in the trades.
Employer Panelists
- Tegan Knifton, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Regional Workforce Development Manager
- Samantha Blackwood, California Department of Water Resources, Talent Manager, Division of Human Resources
- Mark Adams, Teichert, Workforce Development Manager
- Rhonda Godinez, Villara Building Systems, Recruiter Supervisor
Additional panelists will be announced.
RSVP is required to attend our hybrid meeting on Friday, February 6th, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
An optional networking lunch will be available from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.
The meeting will take place at American River College in the Student Center, Community Rooms, across from the new Career Technical Education (CTE) building. A guided tour of the new CTE facility will follow the event. Please contact Project Coordinator Liz Kilkenny at liz.kilkenny@valleyvision.org if you have any questions.
RSVP Here
Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Pathways Advancement
Valley Vision is partnering with the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) to support a countywide Mental and Behavioral Health (MBH) Workforce Advisory Body, connecting employers and educational institutions across Sacramento County. As a key facilitator in this initiative, Valley Vision leverages its expertise in regional workforce development, economic planning, and community collaboration to drive meaningful progress. We are actively helping SCOE and regional partners by:
- Facilitating Strategic Collaboration: Valley Vision supports the convening and coordination of the MBH Workforce Advisory Body, bringing together diverse stakeholders, including educators, employers, and community organizations, to foster aligned strategies and shared goals for addressing workforce shortages
- Conducting In-Depth Research and Analysis: We lead job demand analyses and competency mapping to identify critical skills gaps in the MBH sector, providing data-driven insights that inform pathway development and ensure training programs meet real-world needs.
- Building Sustainable Pathways: Valley Vision assists with designing and implementing clear, inclusive education-to-career pathways, expanding talent supply chains, and aligning them with aligning with industry to attract a diverse pool of students and job seekers.
- Promoting Continuous Improvement: Through ongoing evaluation and reporting, Valley Vision ensures the initiative’s long-term sustainability, recommending strategy adaptation to evolving demands and measuring impact on the region’s MBH workforce.
The initiative’s goal is to create clear, aligned pathways into MBH careers in the Greater Sacramento region. By attracting and supporting a diverse pool of students and job seekers, the work aims to address the critical skills gap in the MBH sector through collaboration, strategic planning, and the development of a sustainable talent pipeline.
Key priorities include:
- Strengthening collaboration between education providers and employers
- Conducting job demand analysis to guide planning
- Establishing consistent competency requirements
- Mapping education pathways and talent flows
- Expanding and aligning talent supply chains with training programs
- Ensuring the continuous improvement and long-term sustainability of the MBH workforce pathways
Resources
Check out the tools and findings from this project:
Get Involved
Shape the future of Mental and Behavioral Health careers in Sacramento!
Email Diangelo Andrews at diangelo.andrews@valleyvision.org to join the project.
Valley Vision & CLBL: Advancing Agricultural Careers Through AgHiRE
Valley Vision is partnering with the Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) to advance the AgHiRE Project, a regional initiative focused on upskilling Spanish-speaking farmworkers and strengthening agricultural workforce pathways across the Greater Sacramento region.
AgHiRE builds connections between farmworkers, employers, educators, and workforce partners to expand opportunities for training, professional growth, and long-term careers in agriculture. The program supports farmworkers in gaining new technical and leadership skills, while ensuring employers can access the talent they need to meet evolving workforce demands.
Valley Vision’s Role
Valley Vision played a key role in supporting CLBL and regional partners by helping the AgHiRE Project grow into a more collaborative, employer-informed effort. Our team helped bring together educators, employers, and workforce organizations to plan and align training opportunities with the needs of the agricultural industry.
We supported employer engagement and outreach by conducting interviews, organizing meetings, and expanding connections to include neighboring counties. Valley Vision also introduced CLBL and the AgHiRE team to key partners such as adult education providers and local workforce development boards, which helped strengthen the project’s network and increase participation.
Early in the project, Valley Vision helped track action items, share updates, and promote program awareness through our communications channels and regional partnerships. By providing this coordination and facilitation, we helped build the foundation for stronger collaboration and longer-term alignment between education, employers, and the agricultural workforce.
Key Priorities
Through this partnership, Valley Vision and CLBL are focused on improving collaboration between education providers and employers, creating clearer education-to-career pathways for Spanish-speaking farmworkers, and expanding opportunities for workforce development in agriculture. The project also aims to raise visibility for AgHiRE and support the continuous improvement of agricultural workforce pathways across the region.
Supported by the Catalyst Fund
The AgHiRE Project is supported through the California Community Colleges’ Catalyst Fund, which invests in innovative regional partnerships that create equitable pathways to good jobs. Learn more about the Catalyst Fund here.
Get Involved
Help shape the future of agricultural careers in the Sacramento region. To learn more about the AgHiRE Project or explore ways to participate, contact Liz Kilkenny at Liz.Kilkenny@valleyvision.org or visit the Center for Land-Based Learning’s AgHiRE page for more information.
Apprenticeships in the Capital Region
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships provide hands-on training and a clear path to a rewarding career. In the Capital Region, these programs are tailored to meet the needs of industries like healthcare, technology, and construction, helping participants build skills and connections.
Benefits of Apprenticeships
- Earn a wage while learning valuable skills.
- Gain industry-recognized credentials.
- Work alongside experienced professionals.
- Access pathways to long-term career growth.
Innovative Programs
Valley Vision works to connect apprenticeships in the Capital Region through partnerships with local employers and educators. Explore their initiatives to see how they’re shaping the future of work.
Hear from Apprenticeship Programs
Watch this video to learn how apprenticeships are transforming lives in the Capital Region.
Visual Overview
This guide highlights key facts about apprenticeships in California.
Additional Resources
Fermentation Sciences, Brewing & Viticulture Careers Meeting Proceedings Report
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Industry Advisory: Agriculture, Water, Environmental Technologies & Business, and Entrepreneurship
High Voltage Electrical Careers at a Glance
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
High Voltage Electrical Careers Proceedings Report
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
Fermentation, Brewing & Viticulture Advisory Event Materials
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory:
Advisory on Agriculture, Business, and Entrepreneurship
High Voltage Electrical Careers Event Materials
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
Biomass & Beyond: The Future of Our Forests & Working Lands
Strong Workforce Program
Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technologies Advisory
Analyst Careers Advisory
Explore the future of Analyst careers at our upcoming Strong Workforce Advisory on April 2nd! This virtual event will address workforce needs and skills gaps in analyst positions. Join regional stakeholders, including employers, training providers, industry groups, and workforce development organizations to discuss career pathways and opportunities in this opportunity-filled sector.
Energy, Construction, and Advanced Manufacturing Advisory: High Voltage Electrical Careers
Join Us for a High Voltage Training Advisory!
As the high voltage sector evolves, especially in the context of electric vehicles, battery charging stations, and related manufacturing/repair work, our region must ensure that training programs keep pace and offer opportunities to traditionally underserved populations. This advisory will focus on exploring the skills and workforce needs around high-voltage applications. We’ll feature an employer panel to assess current inventory and discuss labor market and occupational trends in this dynamic field.
Engage in this vital conversation to help build an accessible and aligned training pipeline that serves our community’s needs. Your participation is essential and valued as we guide investments in programs, certificates, and curricula to support our region’s high-voltage sector.
RSVP to join our hybrid meeting on Tuesday, April 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, hosted at Sierra College.