Monterey Bay Tech Hub Workforce Summit
Monterey Bay Tech Hub Workforce Summit Brings Together Key Regional Stakeholders To Address the Rapidly Evolving Needs in Tech Workforce Development
(Dec. 17, 2024 — Marina, CA) —The Monterey Bay Tech Hub (MBTH)’s Workforce Summit brought together business leaders, educators, policymakers, and community organizations on Thursday, Dec. 12 at UCMBEST in Marina to share insights, discuss challenges, and explore innovative solutions to enhance the talent pipeline for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and agricultural technology (AgTech) regional workforce in the Monterey Bay area.
The event featured a series of engaging discussions and panels that underscored the critical need for aligning workforce development efforts, infrastructure investments, and industry growth to ensure the region remains a leader in emerging technologies.
“As we navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape, it is crucial to align our efforts in workforce development and education to meet industry needs,” said Josh Metz, Executive Director of Monterey Bay DART. “We have the opportunity to ensure AAM research and development continues to flourish here, providing new high-road jobs for Central Coast residents. The momentum we’re building through events like the Tech Hub Summit will solidify our region’s position as a global leader in this space.”
Key highlights included:
- An opening address by UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive, who emphasized the power of public-private partnerships to meet AAM and AgTech industry needs.
- Panels of industry leaders, who shared insights into technological advancements and workforce readiness challenges in the AAM and AgTech sectors.
- Updates on regional programs and pilot training initiatives, which are positioning the tri-county region for long-term success.
- Thought-provoking discussions on the role of workforce system stakeholders in ensuring the Monterey Bay area remains future-ready.
“With one of the highest concentrations of advanced air mobility in the world, the Monterey Bay region has the potential to attract funding, shape policy, and build a stronger, more inclusive workforce to ensure these emerging technologies can thrive here,” said MBEP President & CEO Tahra Goraya. “These conversations are vital as we work together to uplift our regional economy and align regional workforce development, education, and industry needs.”
Positioning the Monterey Bay Region as a Tech Hub
The Monterey Bay Tech Hub recognizes the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties as a tech hub for advanced air mobility. Home to one of the highest concentrations of AAM activity in the world, the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties has three leading passenger eVTOL companies prototyping, testing and/or manufacturing within the region. In addition, global leaders in hydrogen-fueled passenger aircraft and hybrid-fueled “heavy payload’ drone manufacturing are based here, along with large-scale vertical users of AAM technologies in the domains of marine science, defense, hospitality/tourism, agriculture and infrastructure inspection.
AAM and AAM-adjacent technologies have significant implications for the strong agricultural and tourism assets in each county in our region, impacting how cargo, goods, and people move.
The Monterey Bay Tech Hub Workforce Summit marks a key milestone in fostering collaboration and strategic alignment to ensure the region’s talent, infrastructure, and industries are prepared for the opportunities ahead.
About Monterey Bay Tech Hub: The Monterey Bay Tech Hub is a coalition of regional stakeholders who recognize the need for collective action to strengthen the opportunity for AAM-based economic growth and job creation in the tri-county region. Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, UC Santa Cruz, and Monterey Bay DART are founding members.
About Monterey Bay DART: Monterey Bay DART is dedicated to achieving inclusive economic development outcomes in emerging technologies through innovative workforce, infrastructure and policy efforts.
About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP): Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.
AgTech, Drone, and Advanced Air Mobility-Based Sectors Fuel Economic Growth and Job Creation
