At the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, part of our mission is to champion a strong local economy. We know that the foundation of this prosperity is a skilled and ready workforce. That’s why our partnership with the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board (SBCWDB) is so vital—it’s a powerful collaboration that makes our most impactful workforce initiatives possible.

The SBCWDB is an invaluable partner in initiatives like our Paid Work Experience Program. This program provides funding and other resources to businesses looking to hire, upskill, or provide temporary employment to individuals. We serve as the key connection point, bringing the needs of our business community directly to the SBCWDB's attention. In turn, they provide a streamlined process for businesses to access a pipeline of pre-screened, job-ready talent and other funding available to address business workforce needs.

This collaboration allows us to directly contribute to the local economy by creating an efficient pathway for businesses to grow and residents to find stable employment. It’s a powerful engine for economic development that benefits everyone.

We are also excited about a major upcoming initiative we are partnering on, Phase 2 of the Workforce Ecosystem Mapping Project. Building on the findings from Phase 1, this next phase will focus on developing a cohesive framework and an interactive online platform. Over the next 10 months, we’ll be collaborating county-wide to facilitate strategic planning and cross-sector engagement, aligning career pathways with local industry needs. This project is designed to give students and job seekers clarity on opportunities and access to high-demand, high-wage careers.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s partnership with the SBCWDB enables us to offer solutions that we simply couldn't on our own. It's the access to their expertise, funding, and collaboration opportunities that allows us to expand our support for local businesses and tackle workforce challenges in a meaningful way. We are proud to work alongside the SBCWDB to build a more resilient and prosperous future for the Santa Maria Valley.