Solano CC Construction Trades Summit & Pathway Exploration
In partnership with Solano Community College, Workforce Innovation Labs is leading a nine-month initiative to strengthen construction career pathways in Solano County. Through data-driven research, career personas, and an Industry Summit connecting educators, employers, and community leaders, this project will align curriculum with workforce needs while expanding opportunities for Black/African American and Latinx students. The outcome: clear, industry-informed pathways that prepare students for high-demand construction careers and support the region’s economic growth.
Solano CC CTSPE Summit and Pathway Exploration
Client
Purpose
The Solano Community College Construction Trades Summit and Pathway Exploration aims to strengthen construction trade pathways by analyzing labor market data, developing career personas, engaging industry through a regional summit, and informing curriculum design to expand equitable access to high-quality jobs.
-
Conduct data analysis to identify workforce gaps and opportunities.
Develop career personas to illustrate pathways in construction trades.
Host an Industry Summit to connect faculty, employers, and community leaders.
Provide actionable recommendations for curriculum and program development
-
Current and prospective construction-trades students
Working adults and career changers
Underrepresented and nontraditional learners
Experienced workers seeking credentials or advancement
Aspiring trades entrepreneurs and small-business owners
Solano Community College faculty and program teams
Regional employers seeking job-ready talent
-
Solano Community College leadership, faculty, and administrators
Workforce Innovation Labs
Bay Region Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research
Santa Rosa Junior College
Regional construction employers and contractors
Labor unions and apprenticeship representatives
Workforce development and community organizations
Public-sector and regional workforce leaders
-
Validated regional demand for construction, plumbing, and carpentry careers
Developed nine learner-centered career personas
Identified flexible, stackable training pathway opportunities
Created an employer-endorsed draft curriculum structure
Strengthened partnerships with employers, unions, and workforce leaders
Informed future facilities, equipment, and program investments
Established a roadmap for continued curriculum and pathway development
Key Components
Data Exploration & Validation
We analyze labor market trends and validate findings with regional experts to ensure programs align with in-demand construction careers and workforce needs.
Industry Engagement Summit
At the heart of this initiative is an Industry Summit designed to bring together educators, employers, and community leaders. This collaborative forum fosters meaningful dialogue, strengthens partnerships, and ensures program design directly reflects real-world workforce demands.
Pathway Design & Career Mapping
We create clear career maps outlining the skills, certifications, and milestones students need to enter and advance in construction trades.
Why This Matters
The Construction Trades Summit and Career Exploration Initiative creates clear, equitable pathways into high-demand construction careers, ensures curriculum aligns with industry needs, and builds sustainable partnerships that lead to family-sustaining jobs.
