Building the Future of Workforce Development at Meeting of the Minds

Serena Moore, WDB Program & Project Coordinator, represented the WDBCCC at the California Workforce Association’s 2026 Meeting of the Minds conference in Monterey. She also participated in the 2026 Executive Boot Camp, joining a cohort of 20 workforce development executives from across California. The program is expected to transition into an Executive Fellowship in 2027.

During the Boot Camp, Serena collaborated with Darlene Sloan Hopkins on a capstone project, mentored by Adam Peck, Executive Director of the California Workforce Association. Their project focused on strengthening Business Services by developing an AI Workforce Readiness Assessment, Workforce Action Plan, and Employer Service Journey Map. The project was well received and generated interest in how elements of the proposed model could be implemented in the future.

The conference also provided valuable updates on workforce programs and emerging technology. During the Employment Training Panel (ETP) session, participants learned about new flexibility allowing up to 13% for program management and implementation and up to 8% of the total contract amount for promotion and outreach.

ETP representatives also emphasized the importance of incumbent worker training and clarified that training does not always need to lead to an industry credential or certification. Instead, training may be customized to address an employer’s specific workforce needs. This approach closely aligns with the Board’s continued focus on employer-driven incumbent worker training.

Another notable session previewed participant-focused enhancements expected to be introduced in CalJOBS in November 2026. One anticipated feature is a virtual interview-preparation avatar that can generate practice questions based on a participant’s résumé and the position they are pursuing.

The conference concluded with a keynote presentation on artificial intelligence. One message strongly resonated with Serena: workforce leaders cannot make fully informed decisions about AI tools without first experiencing and understanding them. Exposure is an essential part of responsible AI adoption—but the human element must remain at the center of how the technology is used.

“Meeting of the Minds was an excellent experience—full of valuable information, meaningful connections, and confirmation that the work we are doing as a Workforce Development Board is moving in the right direction.”

Serena’s participation strengthened connections with workforce leaders from across California while bringing back practical ideas to support innovation, employer services, and the responsible use of AI in workforce development.