PCC’s Future of Work Conference – Why You Can’t Miss It

Making sense of the ‘future of work’ discussion requires a focus on whole industries and industrial sectors as well as on the mom-and-pop businesses down the street. Today’s corporate leaders must navigate the intricacies of both if they intend to master their daily production goals and improve or grow their market share. Regardless of its size, however, no organization will master anything if it doesn’t have the trained and operational workforce it needs to thrive.

That reality is why Pasadena City College (PCC) is presenting its second annual Future of Work Conference on Thursday, November 12, from 9 to 11 am. This year, because of COVID-19, the Conference is virtual (just click on this link to register), so attendance requires nothing more than registering, then settling down with a good cup of coffee in your favorite comfy chair.

Regardless of its ‘virtual’ status, our presentation’s quality will exceed even last year’s high bar. This year we’ve pulled in more than a dozen industry, education, and government experts to talk about how they envision the ‘future of work,’ both because of and despite the coronavirus.

Here are the experts weighing in on this critically important topic:

Our Co-Hosts are:

Salvatrice Cummo, Executive Director, Pasadena City College Economic and Workforce Development.

Salvatrice brings years of commercial, entrepreneurial, and big and small business experience to her role as Director of the Economic and Workforce Development department at Pasadena City College (PCC EWD). She builds on the many ‘business development best practice’ strategies she’s developed to engage both PCC’s teaching faculty and its neighboring businesses and industries in efforts to strengthen the regional and local economies. Her long-range vision sees PCC as the San Gabriel Valley’s premier workforce developer, trainer, and supplier, providing the regional business and industrial community with the highly skilled workers it needs to grow and thrive.

Ramona Schindelheim, Editor-in-Chief, Working Nation

As a journalist, Ms. Schindelheim covered the business impacts of 9/11, the Enron scandal, and the collapse of the housing market. As an executive producer, you’ve seen her work on Power Lunch and Conversations with Michael Eisner (and many other ABC and CNBC productions). She has two Emmy’s, two Peabody’s, and two Golden Mics for investigative journalism. Need we say more?

A welcoming by our President:

Dr. Erika Endrijonas, President/Superintendent, Pasadena City College

Dr. Endrijonas has been providing guidance and insights to LA’s community colleges for more than 20 years. Prior to assuming individual college leadership roles, she served on several state-wide California Community College boards, including those of the Chief Instructional Officers, the Chief Student Services Officers, and the Association for Occupational Education. Her passion for football underscores her appreciation for teamwork and collaboration.

Speaking for our Sponsor is:

Jesus Roman, Associate General Counsel and VP of Government Affairs, Verizon

For 17 years, Mr. Roman has been developing policy positions and legislative strategies to facilitate Verizon’s opportunities to grow, innovate, and enhance wired and wireless services across 13 western states. He works at the nexus of communications innovation, business strategy, and government regulation.

Our Keynote Speaker is:

Josh Davies, CEO, Center for Work Ethic Development

More than 20 years of globally based workforce training and consulting have honed Mr. Davies’ appreciation of highly skilled, talented, and productive workers. Named one of America’s Top Ten Trainers by Training Magazine, Mr. Davies will share his knowledge of inspiring the best effort from virtually every employee.

Sitting on our Panel are:

(This is where it will all come down. These voices bring perspectives from industry, government, and educational institutions to discuss how our economic communities will build, grow, and thrive in the next 10 to 20 years.) 

Industry Representatives

Healthcare

Healthcare initiatives are advancing fast as the sector continues to add more technical features to the broader spectrum of the healthcare delivery system. Accordingly, budgets within the industry are expected to grow by 10% by 2030, adding enhanced care options delivered by a highly educated workforce.

Donald Bradburn, Regional Director of Workforce Planning and Development, Kaiser Permanente

As a long-time human resource professional, Mr. Bradburn brings deep insights into managing workforces, balancing risks with innovation, and the high value of communications in evolving employment landscapes.

Clayton Pryor, Director, Workforce Development, Advocate Aurora Health

Mr. Pryor leads strategy development and operations in his workforce development efforts. His focus is on creating a pipeline of well-prepared candidates for the middle-skill roles demanded by Advocate Aurora Health. He works with universities and colleges to develop partnerships, internships, and educational assistance programs.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector expects to add up to 4.6 million new jobs by 2028, but the current workforce supply generators will provide only 2.2 million workers to fill them.

Philip June, Director of Engineering, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA)

Engineering Design Center in Southern California and Leader for Boeing Global Services’ Commercial Modifications and Conversions Engineering Team

If you have questions about how engineering impacts design in workforce development as well as in airplane manufacturing, Mr. June has your answers. With more than a decade in Engineering Leadership for one of the world’s premier airplane manufacturers, Mr. June knows what it means to launch and land a successful workforce initiative.

Telecommunications 

The COVID-19 pandemic has blown up the telecom industry as every entity reaches for technology over face-to-face encounters to facilitate communications. As 5G architectures and cloud computing ease the communications channel even more, experts anticipate the telecom market to push past $2.5 trillion by 2030.

Dr. Erica Jacquez, Executive Director of External and Government Affairs, Verizon

Dr. Jacquez’s expertise spans several social and economic sectors, including public affairs, education, natural resources, and government relations, to name just a few. Her perspectives on the future of work at a local, regional, and national level will certainly be complex, diverse, and fascinating.

Education Representatives:

Tamar Jacoby, President and CEO, Opportunity America

A former Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow and a long-time journalist, Ms. Jacoby’s work on promoting economic mobility for poor and working Americans has been published by the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others. She will share her insights about America’s immigrant struggles, their efforts to pursue the American dream, and the barriers they experience in that effort.

Dr. Darlene Miller, Executive Director, National Council for Workforce Education

After 20 years of innovating economic and workforce development programs for several American community colleges, Dr. Miller has spent the past ten years sharing her wisdom with the community college sector as a whole. With her inputs, schools across the country enhance student success through excellence in education and training.

D’Artagnan Scorza, Ph.D., Executive Director/Founder at the Social Justice Learning Institute

A long-time advocate for African-American and Latino youth, this U.S. Navy Iraq War Veteran launched the SJLI to empower all communities of color to change their lives and the lives around them through education. The agency partners with JPMorgan Chase, the City of Houston, and the Sacramento City Unified School District to support stakeholder engagement in education, public utility, land use, water, and other positive social initiatives.

Our Government Representative

Reg Javier, Executive Director, California Employment Training Panel

Mr. Javier has been effective in workforce development programs for more than 15 years, providing leadership and guidance for both San Diego and San Bernardino Counties, as well as many other private clients. At the ETP, he coordinates workforce funding distributions to thousands of California businesses, so he knows a thing or two about workforce investment and strategy.

Providing insights from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office is:

Sheneui Weber, Vice-Chancellor, Economic and Workforce Development, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office

A long-time voice for small businesses, Ms. Weber acted as the Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program for Long Beach Community College District and the Chief Operating Officer for College Advancement and Economic Development before stepping into her role as Vice-Chancellor. Her work includes numerous million-dollar projects as well as innovative leadership of the Los Angeles Region Small Business Development Center Network.

Sign up now

This line-up of stellar workforce development innovators and leaders promises a rousing and enlightened conversation that will impact the speakers, industry leaders, and attendees alike. You won’t want to miss it. Register now.