Preparing People and Businesses for What’s Next

A stronger workforce begins with opportunities to learn, gain experience, and connect. This October, Monterey County Works is helping residents take the next steps in their careers while supporting employers as they prepare for changing workforce needs.

In this issue, explore new workshops for enrolled WIOA participants, paid work experience through Impact CADRE, and flexible career training through our partnership with Calbright College. Employers will find insights on preparing their teams for AI and making the most of upcoming hiring events. We also introduce Workforce Development Board member Isaiah Madrigal and highlight local occupations with strong projected demand.

Whether you’re exploring a career path, building your skills, or looking for your next team member, read on for resources and opportunities to help you move forward.

New Workshops Help Participants Prepare for Career Success

Monterey County Works participants enrolled in our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) employment and training programs can now register for a variety of upcoming workshops tailored to meet their 21st-century needs.  

All courses are offered free of charge and include: 

• Transforming Your Interview I
• Customer Discovery - Career Paths: Discover Your Potential
• Your Networking Game Plan
• Resume Makeover I
• Showcase You: Transform Your Interview II
• Polished Image: Resume Makeover II
• Professional Development to Success
• Introduction to Computers
• Navigating Online Job Search Platforms

“We wanted to be sure to offer something that only our enrolled participants may benefit from,” said Executive Director Christoper Donnelly. “When jobseekers register for our employment and training workshops, they will have the opportunity to learn from our expert trainers who will guide them and provide them with insight into how they can unlock the hidden job market and what employers are requiring of workers in the 21st century."  

All participants must be enrolled in WIOA programs and registered in the CAJobs system to participate in the workshops. 

Jobseekers are asked to call our Welcome Team at (831) 796-3335 to learn more.  

Impact CADRE Helps Young Adults Build Skills and Strengthen Their Community

Monterey County Works is connecting young adults with paid, hands-on experience through the Impact CADRE program. Designed for Monterey County residents ages 18 to 24, the 280-hour workforce program pays $19 per hour while preparing participants for careers in environmental conservation, food systems, logistics, sustainable agriculture, and community service.

Impact CADRE combines career preparation with projects that benefit local communities. Participants may support food bank operations by sorting and inspecting food, packing food boxes and bags, organizing inventory, assisting with deliveries, and following food- and workplace-safety practices. Other assignments may focus on sustainable agriculture, soil health, water conservation, habitat restoration, invasive species management, community beautification, and tree planting.

Along the way, participants gain practical workplace skills and can earn valuable credentials, including OSHA 10, HAZWOPER, Food Handler Certification, and Basic Environmental Safety training. These experiences can help young adults strengthen their résumés, explore career options, and prepare for future employment in several growing fields.

The Impact CADRE program also gives participants an opportunity to make a visible difference in Monterey County. Whether improving access to nutritious food or helping conserve local natural resources, every assignment connects career development with meaningful community service.

Young adults interested in the program can learn more and complete the online application. For questions, contact Michael Artalejo at ArtalejoM@countyofmonterey.gov or (831) 796-3510.

How to Build an AI-Ready Workforce: 7 Leadership Lessons from the Department of Labor

As artificial intelligence changes how we work, employers can help their teams prepare by investing in skills, encouraging employee input, and keeping human judgment at the center of decisions.

UKG shares seven leadership lessons drawn from a conversation with the U.S. Department of Labor, offering practical guidance for navigating change and uncovering new opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Building an AI-ready workforce starts with investing in employee skills, AI literacy, and organizational agility—not just implementing new technology.
• Organizations that successfully adopt AI combine human judgment with AI capabilities to improve productivity, innovation, and employee experience.
• The future of work will belong to companies that make AI accessible, empower frontline employees, and continuously adapt to technological change

Calbright College and Monterey County Works: Expanding Access to Career Training

Monterey County Works and Calbright College have partnered to expand access to career-focused training that benefits both job seekers and local employers. Through this collaboration, residents can build skills for in-demand occupations while local employers gain access to a growing pipeline of workforce-ready talent equipped with industry-relevant competencies. By combining Calbright's flexible online programs with Monterey County Works' workforce services, career coaching, and employer partnerships, participants receive support from enrollment through employment.

This partnership is designed to make career training more accessible for working adults, career changers, job seekers, and individuals balancing family and other responsibilities. Participants benefit from a coordinated approach that combines skills-based education, career coaching, supportive services, and employment preparation. 

Available Programs

Eligible participants may explore Calbright programs such as:

• Community Health Worker (CHW)
• Data Analysis
• Project Management
• Human Resources: Learning & Development
• Human Resources: Talent Acquisition

Additional Calbright programs are also available, including Network Technology, Defensive Cybersecurity, and Offensive Cybersecurity. For complete program information, visit www.calbright.edu/programs. 

Benefits of the Partnership

Through this collaboration, participants may receive:

• No-cost, online, self-paced training through Calbright
• Career coaching and individualized success planning
• Skills and career assessments
• Résumé, interview, and job search assistance
• Tutoring and academic support
• Access to technology resources, including laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots for eligible students
• Supportive services through WIOA programs for eligible participants
• Connections to local employers and work-based learning opportunities
• Pathways to high-demand careers in healthcare, business, technology, data, and human resources 

How to Get Started



1. Connect with Monterey County Works - Visit www.montereycountyworks.com to learn about available workforce services and determine eligibility for WIOA Adult or Youth programs.
2. Complete a Pre-Application - Interested individuals can complete the Monterey County Works WIOA Pre-application on our Job Seekers page.
3. Explore Training Options - Monterey County Works provides information, resources, and guidance to help participants explore training opportunities aligned with their career goals.
4. Enroll in Calbright - Participants complete Calbright's online application, orientation, and enrollment process, with support available from both organizations. 
5. Build Skills and Prepare for Employment - Participants receive ongoing support as they complete training and prepare for employment opportunities. 

Creating Pathways to Opportunity

Together, Calbright College and Monterey County Works are helping residents access flexible career training, develop in-demand skills, and connect with meaningful employment opportunities. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Monterey County's workforce, supporting employer talent needs, and expanding economic mobility for residents.

Meet Board Member Isaiah Madrigal

Isaiah Madrigal is a skilled human resources professional specializing in agricultural workforce dynamics, talent acquisition, and regulatory compliance. As an HR Generalist for D'Arrigo California (home of the iconic Andy Boy brand), he manages recruitment, employee onboarding, and administrative strategies tailored to the fresh produce industry's unique seasonal and year-round demands. Madrigal holds an MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay, and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), bringing an advanced, data-driven approach to human capital management. “With 4 years of experience in human resources, I've had the privilege of blending my passion for HR with the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in agriculture,” he said.

Workforce Board Leadership

In July 2026, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors officially appointed Madrigal to the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) as a Local Business Representative for a three-year term extending through July 7, 2029.

In this regional leadership capacity, Madrigal collaborates with local executives, labor unions, and educational institutions to guide the distribution of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds. He serves as a vital bridge between Monterey County’s foundational agricultural sector and regional economic development initiatives.

His core board contributions focus on:

• Fostering Inclusive Talent Pipelines: Aligning local ag-industry needs with workforce training programs to ensure job seekers gain relevant, hireable skills.
• Strategic Compliance & Advocacy: Leveraging his mastery of California labor laws to advocate for sustainable, safe, and lawful workplace environments on a regional scale.
• Enhancing Employer Resources: Bridging private sector businesses with county-backed recruitment assistance, continuing education, and workforce optimization tools.

Through his parallel work at D’Arrigo California and the MCWDB, Madrigal remains dedicated to building a robust, resilient Central Coast economy that benefits both local agricultural employers and the diverse community of job seekers.

Tap into Top Local Talent: Register Your Business for Our Upcoming Job Fairs!

As we head into the busy fall season, finding the right talent to sustain and grow your business remains a top priority. In today’s competitive market, sifting through hundreds of online applications can be time-consuming, and digital resumes rarely tell the whole story.

This fiscal year, Monterey County Works is shifting the dynamic by hosting a premier series of regional job fairs and recruitment events. We invite your business to secure a spot, set up a table, and connect directly with motivated, qualified local job seekers—completely free of charge.

Why Partner with Monterey County Works?

Our hiring events bypass the digital bottleneck and bring back the power of immediate, human connection. By registering for your business early, you gain the opportunity to:

• Meet face-to-face with hundreds of eager candidates from across the Central Coast.
• Conduct on-the-spot interviews to drastically reduce your time-to-hire and fill open roles faster.
• Build your local brand and showcase your corporate culture directly to the community.
• Tap into diverse pipelines, from entry-level workers to skilled professionals across hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, tech, and public service.

Get Your Business Hiring-Ready

We want to ensure your team maximizes its return on investment at our events. To help you structure your booth, optimize your recruitment pitch, and streamline on-the-spot screening, we’ve put together a quick digital tool.

Before the events kick off, watch our latest Workforce Minute video for expert tips on how employers can successfully stand out and capture top-tier talent at regional job fairs.

Strengthening Our Regional Economy Together

At Monterey County Works, our mission is to build sustainable, accessible hiring pathways that support both local job seekers and businesses. Supported by federal funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), we provide these recruitment platforms at no cost to employers to stimulate economic growth and create robust talent pipelines across Monterey County.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Premium space and dedicated on-the-spot interview tables are limited, and slots fill up quickly. Don't miss this opportunity to streamline your fall recruitment strategy.

Take control of your hiring needs today. Visit MontereyCountyWorks.com right now to view the full October recruitment calendar and register your business as an official employer partner.

Let's build a stronger workforce together!

LMI Minute: In-Demand Skill Occupations

By: Andriy Moskalyk, Labor Market Researcher 

This issue of the LMI Minute highlights in-demand middle-skill occupations in Monterey County. To understand what that means, let’s start with a few definitions. An in-demand occupation is one with the most projected job openings in the local area over the projected period, which in our case is the decade between 2023 to 2033. Middle-skill occupation is one that typically requires an associate degree, a postsecondary non-degree award, some college with no degree, or on-the-job training. Using our 2023-2033 Employment Projections, the resulting data from applying the criteria above can be seen in the figure to the right. It highlights the top five in-demand middle-skill occupations.

Job Seekers                

Are you ready to take the next step in your career journey? Attending a job fair is one of the most effective ways to connect with leading employers, discover new opportunities, and showcase your skills—all in one convenient place. Please register below!

Employers  

Are you looking for a cost-effective way to meet motivated, qualified candidates? Participating in a job fair or hiring event allows you to engage directly with job seekers, promote your company, and fill positions faster. Please register below to save your spot!

Level Up Your Job Search

Are you interested in polishing and updating your résumé? What about making career-ready lasting impressions? Or maybe you’d like to discover your potential through a customized customer discovery career path? Perhaps you’d like to learn how to navigate some of the biggest online job search platforms? Or make inroads with your networking game plan? 

Monterey County Works offers customized workshops for individual job seekers enrolled in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. Follow the hyperlink to enroll and then contact our Welcome Desk at (831) 796-3335 to learn more about our workshops and how to register.