A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and contributed to these important discussions.
ETCN successfully hosted its 11th Business and Community Partner Forum on January 30, bringing together 55 participants from across education, business, and the community. Attendees included 30 business and community partners, 16 staff members, 4 teachers, and 5 students, creating a balanced, multi-perspective environment that allowed for meaningful dialogue across roles and lived experiences.
Partners came together to learn more about ETCN’s mission and vision, review the latest labor market information for North County and San Diego, and engage in focused discussions around hiring trends, in-demand skills, community support, student engagement, and the growing role of AI in the workplace. The forum’s intentionally structured breakout sessions enabled deeper conversation, cross-industry exchange, and relationship-building.
Business and community partners shared that the forum was especially valuable for understanding current labor market information, engaging in workforce discussions across industries, and collaborating with other organizations. Participants highlighted the opportunity to talk through hiring needs, explore potential collaborations, connect with local organizations, and review real-time regional data as key takeaways. Many noted that networking and learning what other businesses and community partners have to offer made the experience both practical and impactful.
Students shared that the forum gave them a meaningful voice. They appreciated learning about job-related surveys, being asked directly about areas for improvement in schools, and having the opportunity to share their learning experiences and perspectives. Students valued being heard and contributing ideas that could help strengthen programs for future learners.
Teachers and staff found the forum helpful in informing instruction and practice, particularly around soft skills, professional communication, job readiness, and outreach services. They appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with peers, explore ways to implement suggestions raised during discussions, and hear directly from students about their experiences and needs.
All feedback collected from business and community partners, students, teachers, and staff will directly inform the Education to Career Network’s planning efforts, including the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) Three-Year Plan (2025–2028), the CAEP Annual Plan (2025–2026), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 2025–2026 plan, and ETCN’s Continuous Improvement Plan. Future forums will continue to build on this collaborative model, offering participants timely labor market insights, opportunities for cross-sector partnership, and a platform to shape programs that better align education, workforce, and community needs. Partners interested in contributing to regional workforce development, strengthening student pathways, and collaborating across industries are encouraged to join us at upcoming ETCN forums.
