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 as a major economic engine for Ventura County. The conversation explores how his role bridges economic development, community engagement, and workforce strategy, along with the unique challenges and opportunities facing the maritime and logistics sector.

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 help employers build sustainable, future-ready workforce systems.

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 experience serving on—and leading—the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, offering insights into the region's most pressing workforce challenges and opportunities. Together, Rebecca and Stephen explore how small businesses fuel innovation, create jobs, and strengthen community ties, while highlighting the shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive local economy.

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 workforce challenges that matter most right now, moments of impact since Lisa joined the board, and her hopes for the future of work—offering listeners an inside look at how dedicated community leaders are building inclusive career pathways for all.

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 business perspectives are essential on the workforce development board, the challenges facing Ventura County's labor market, and how resourcefulness, collaboration, and nimbleness are shaping the future of work in our region.

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 communities, including farmworkers, justice-impacted individuals, disabled people, and non-English speakers. You'll discover why "bringing AI to the people" is essential, how workforce boards can play a pivotal role in shaping ethical tech, and what it takes to build AI systems that truly serve everyone.

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. Whether you're a student, a parent, or a community member, this conversation will give you insight into how NextGen empowers youth to build confidence, gain critical skills, and take their next steps toward long-term success.

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. Escucharás a Eddie Jiménez, facilitador de talleres del programa Ventura County WORKS en el America's Job Center of California, y aprenderás cómo acceder a talleres, evaluaciones y herramientas gratuitas para mejorar tu carrera.

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 transportation, childcare, and work gear. Listeners will also hear how Cell-Ed, a mobile learning platform, offers flexible education options including English language learning, GED prep, and digital literacy—all accessible from any cell phone. This holistic approach helps individuals upskill, secure stable employment, and thrive in their communities.

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 help local residents, especially those in low- to moderate-income communities, launch or advance careers in the healthcare sector. Discover how this initiative is helping individuals move from crisis to stability while strengthening the region's healthcare workforce for the future.