California Workforce Association

We are excited to unveil the official workshop lineup for WORKCON 2026, hosted by the California Workforce Association (CWA). Taking place April 28–30 at the Marriott Irvine, this year’s conference is dedicated to the purposeful design of workforce systems that meet the evolving needs of our communities.

As the economy shifts, our programs must be built—not by accident, but by design—to be resilient, inclusive, and effective.

The Workshop Experience
With over 60 deep-dive workshops spread across 6 intensive rounds, you can customize your learning journey around the pillars of modern workforce development:

-Modern Service Delivery: Innovative uses of WIOA and braided funding.
-Technology & Data: Leveraging AI and data-informed decision-making.
-Equity & Access: Building sustainable solutions for diverse populations.
-Employer-Driven Strategies: Strengthening cross-sector collaborations.

Why Attend?
WORKCON 2026 is the premier gathering for Workforce Development Boards, CBOs, educational institutions, and policymakers. It is more than a conference—it is a laboratory for the Architecture of Opportunity, where we bridge the gap between forward-thinking strategy and practical application.

www.calworkforce.org/annual-conferences

The biggest stage in California workforce development just got bigger. 🏔️💼

We are proud to announce a landmark addition to the WORKCON 2026 program: “Jobs, Skills & California’s Future: The Candidates Speak.”

This exclusive Gubernatorial Candidate Forum will take place during our Wednesday Lunch Plenary in Irvine. As the primary draws near, we’ve invited the leading candidates for Governor to step onto our stage to discuss the issues that matter most to you:

🔹 Investing in California’s workers
🔹 Closing the skills gap in key industries
🔹 Navigating the impact of AI on the labor market

WORKCON has always been the premier gathering for workforce leaders, but this year, it’s where the next Governor will hear our community's voice. This isn't just a session; it’s a chance to see the future of state policy being shaped in real-time.

Don't just read about the headlines, be in the room when they happen.

🎟️ Registration for WORKCON 2026 is open now. Secure your spot for the full conference and this can't-miss plenary session at www.calworkforce.org/annual-conferences

📣 Great news! The call for workshop proposals for WORKCON 2026: Innovation by Design — The Architecture of Opportunity has been extended to Thursday, Feb. 12! Whether you’re leading workforce innovation, designing impactful programs, or advancing equitable solutions — we want to hear from you.

🗓️ Submit your proposal today: https://www.calworkforce.org/workconproposals

Breaking Down Silos: The Future of Youth Apprenticeship in California

What an incredible day in Sacramento! We just wrapped up the California Youth Apprenticeship Summit, and the energy in the room was electric. We are no longer just talking about the “mismatch” between school and work—we are actively implementing the blueprint to fix it.

A Unified Vision for California’s Youth
Led by California Workforce Association (CWA), and our partners at CareerWise USA, we explored how to turn 18 targeted recommendations into a reality for students.

Legislative Leadership in Action
A huge thank you to our legislative champions who joined us today and are driving this vision forward:
-Senator Pérez (Author of SB 845)
-Assembly Member Fong (Author of AB 805)

These bills are the engines that will codify the Career Apprenticeship Bridge (CAB), ensuring that "earning while learning" is a prestigious, first-choice pathway for every Californian.

Honoring Our Agency & Education Leaders
We also want to recognize the key leaders whose collaboration is critical to "breaking down silos" between labor and education:
-Adele Burnes, Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS).
-Allison Frenzel, Mindi Parsons, and the team from the California Department of Education (CDE).
-Tony Cordova from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO).
-Abby Snay from the Labor & Workforce Development Agency and our other amazing panelists!

The Power of Partnership :handshake:
This summit wouldn’t have been possible without our core collaborators:
CareerWise USA, NextGen California, and Jobs for the Future (JFF).

CALL TO ACTION
We have the blueprint. Now, we need your voice.
Support the Legislation: Sign the Letter of Support for SB 845
Sign Here: https://zurl.co/UXuQq

Let’s bridge the gap together and make apprenticeship a first-choice pathway for every student in California!