Ventura County Works

In this episode of Ventura County Works, leaders from the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County reflect on receiving the 2026 WIOA Trailblazer Award at the NAWB Forum and explore what it takes to build a high-performing workforce system. The conversation highlights the power of strategic planning, employer engagement, community partnerships, and human-centered design in helping job seekers...

Tune in to explore how advanced manufacturing is evolving into one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich industries in Ventura County. In this episode of  Ventura County Works , host and Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, Rebecca Evans, sits down with Sarah Christopher Falk of Scientific Cutting Tools, Inc. to break down what modern manufacturing really loo...

Tune in for a conversation with Celia Daniels, Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting, about the evolving healthcare workforce and the many opportunities within one of Ventura County's most vital industries. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and life sciences, Celia shares insights on the growing demand for talent, why compassion and people skills remain essential in healthc...

In this episode of  Ventura County Works , Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with Port of Hueneme leader and Workforce Development Board member Miguel Rodriguez for a special installment of the "Board Member Minutes" series. Miguel shares his professional journey and what drew him to community relations and workforce development, offering an inside look at how the Port of Hueneme serves a...

In this episode of  Ventura County Works , host Rebecca Evans is joined by Laura Martinez and Natalie Lehman to discuss leadership, community connection, and innovation in workforce development. They share how their work on the Workforce Development Board helped inspire  InsideTrak: FutureReady Workforce and explain its concierge-style approach to aligning strategy, funding, and partnerships to he...

In this episode of Ventura County Works , Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with small business owner and past Board Chair Stephen Yeoh for a special installment of the "Board Member Minutes" series. Stephen shares his journey as an entrepreneur in Ventura County, reflecting on what inspired him to start his business and how local partnerships support economic growth. He discusses his exp...

In this Board Member Minutes episode of Ventura County Works, Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with nonprofit leader Lisa Safaeinili to explore how service and equity drive workforce innovation. Lisa shares her journey into nonprofit leadership, the mission of her organization, and what inspired her to join the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. Together they discuss the work...

Tune in to this episode of  Ventura County Works  as we kick off our new segment,  Board Member Minutes , with Ken Wiseman—business owner, community leader, and long-time advocate for lifelong learning. Ken shares his journey from leading a large corporate operation to revitalizing historic spaces in Piru, and how his experiences fuel his passion for workforce development. Discover why small busin...

Tune in to this powerful episode of  Ventura County Works as we explore how artificial intelligence can either widen or bridge equity gaps in the workforce. Celia Daniels, board member of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board and Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LLC, shares how AI systems, if designed without inclusive input, can reinforce existing biases and shut out marginalized co...

In this episode, you'll discover how Ventura County's NextGen program is helping young people ages 14 to 24 prepare for successful futures through hands-on job experience, education support, and personalized guidance. You'll learn how the program removes barriers to employment by offering paid work opportunities, mentorship, career exploration, and essential life tools at no cost to participants....

En este episodio, exploramos una de las barreras más importantes para el empleo en la actualidad: la alfabetización digital. Acompáñanos mientras exploramos Northstar Digital Literacy, un recurso gratuito en el Condado de Ventura que te ayuda a desarrollar las habilidades tecnológicas y la confianza necesarias para solicitar empleos, usar computadoras y tener éxito en la fuerza laboral actual. Esc...

In this episode, listeners will learn about Fields of Opportunity for Farm Worker Families , a free, federally funded program in Ventura County designed to support farm workers and their families in building better futures. The episode explores how participants can access career training in high-demand industries, receive one-on-one career coaching, and gain essential support such as transportatio...

In this episode, we explore how healing takes many forms—through careers, community, and connection. Join us as we dive into VC Heal, Ventura County's new healthcare careers program created in response to the devastation of the Thomas and Woolsey wildfires. Funded by disaster recovery grants, VC Heal offers no-cost healthcare training, supportive services, life coaching, and career navigation to h...

In this episode we tackle one of the biggest barriers to employment today: digital literacy. Join us as we explore Northstar Digital Literacy, a free resource in Ventura County that helps you build the tech skills and confidence you need to apply for jobs, use computers, and succeed in today's workforce. You'll hear from Eddie Jimenez, Workshop Facilitator for the Ventura County WORKS program at t...

In this special episode, originally recorded for Our Ventura TV, Rebecca Evans and Vicente Nicario speak with George Alger about the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, discussing how this federally-funded organization connects employers with skilled workers and helps job seekers find career opportunities at no cost. Rebecca explains their efforts to raise awareness about their services...

Tune in as we explore SkillUp Ventura County, an innovative program offering residents free online skills training and certification opportunities. In this episode, Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, leads a discussion with key partners. Joining her are the team from Managed Career Solutions (MCS) and special guest Kerry Twomey from Metrix Learn...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore how businesses in Ventura County can harness its transformative power. Discover the common misconceptions about AI and learn how to navigate the practical challenges of adoption. Gain insights into the critical role of the human element in successful AI implementation and uncover strategies for equitable integ...

Join Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, as he discusses how education and industry work together to create career opportunities in Ventura County. Learn about the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) Career Education Center programs in healthcare, transportation, welding, and veterinary assistance. Discover how local education systems partner with employers to provid...

In this episode, you'll learn about a new program in Ventura County called "Sowing Seeds of Success," designed to support farmworkers. The program offers essential job skills training, career coaching, and language learning through a mobile platform, making it accessible for workers with busy schedules. You'll hear about the program's goals, eligibility requirements, and how it addresses challenge...

In this episode of Ventura County Works, host Doug Foresta is joined by Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, and Celia Sandhya Daniels, a dedicated board member. The conversation focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, with a specific emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. Celia, a transgender woman and entrepreneur, shares...

Discover exciting career opportunities in advanced manufacturing and technology with Job Connect Ventura County. In this episode, Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, and Crystal Murillo from Career TEAM discuss how this innovative program, funded by the state of California, connects job seekers with education, training, and skill development to m...

Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, continues her discussion with Cynthia Avila, Business Solutions Manager. They explore the breadth of services offered to local businesses, including the HR hotline for no-cost human resources assistance. Other business solutions highlighted include tax credits, customized training programs, job fairs, and webin...

This episode features a conversation between Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, and Cynthia Avila, Business Solutions Manager at the Workforce Development Board. They discuss the business solutions team at the workforce board, including how the team connects job seekers to good opportunities with local employers. Cynthia provides examples of rec...

In this episode, Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, is joined by James Hughes, Regional Director of Operations for Career Team LLC.  James describes Career Team's human-centered approach to workforce development, meeting customers where they are and helping remove barriers to employment. He discusses innovating ways to expand access and opportun...

In this episode, you'll learn about SkillUp Ventura County, a free electronic training (eTraining) experience through Metrix Learning. Through this online learning portal, you will be able to refresh your existing skills and learn new ones that will help ensure your success in the ever-changing employment market. SkillUp Ventura County is designed to help its residents build a workforce ecosystem...