Fall of 2023 was a busy time for Earn & Learn, which means that it was a fulfilling and impactful one as well!

It all began with the Contra Costa County Manufacturing Day on October 24th, with nearly 400 Contra Costa high school students who were able to experience and learn about the future of advanced manufacturing careers within their own community.

The all-day event started with student tours at 7 local manufacturers, and ended with the students attending a local Contra Costa County Community College location which highlighted their programs and educational pathways directly related to industry and a future in manufacturing.

Then on the following day, we kicked-off the first Alameda County Apprenticeship and Internship Fair! Four Apprenticeship and Internship Fairs were held throughout the fall at Ohlone College, Berkeley City College, Chabot College, and Las Positas College, to show high school students their local Community Colleges while also hearing from employers on paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities.

**760 individuals from more than 30 educational institutions spoke with 35+ employers.**

The sixth event was the Contra Costa Trades Career Day, which was held at Diablo Valley College, and gave Contra Costa high school students the chance to explore the world of skilled trades directly from experts in the field. It was a day full of hands-on experiences and exposure to all a community college has to offer.

Around 150 learners attended the Trades Career Fair on November 7th

Events such as these are the best example of equitable work-based learning; showing ALL learners high-need, high-wage jobs that are available to them, along with the information on how they can attain these jobs.

All of these events would not have been possible without our partnerships with the Alameda County Office of Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education. Contra Costa Community College District, and funding from the City of Concord and CCEP.

Of course, a HUGE thank you to the amazing employers who attended the fairs and opened their doors to local learners. You are contributing to your local community while laying the path for the future workforce.

At the end of the tour at the Contra Costa Water District, the guide and employee said to the learners, “we (the other guide) did not go to a four-year college. We did not know what we wanted to do. But we looked for what was available to find a lifelong passion and high-wage career. You can too.” This is what every learner should hear and continue to hear. We can all change the landscape of learning, but we cannot do it alone.

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