Welcome to the New Year– On behalf of the entire Sierra Jobs First team, and a sentiment we’ve heard echoed by the many dedicated members of the Sierra Jobs First collaborative, we look forward to working together to make 2025 a year of economic prosperity and equitable opportunity for all in the Sierra region.
Following are some dates to remember, new self-service resources we’ve added to the website, and a quick look back at all this Collaborative has achieved together in the past two years.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration,
– The Sierra Jobs First Team
Updated Online Resources and Contacts
The team was hard at work over the last quarter of 2024 incorporating the feedback of the Collaborative into more accessible online resources.
Among the new resources launched:
- Updated News & Updates Page: In an effort to highlight the most important updates and make vital information searchable, we added a blog section for the latest news, and sorted past communications into a categorized archive of past communications, newsletters, and state alerts below.
- FAQ Page: The FAQ page was updated in December with all the latest information from the state. It also includes the questions we gathered from the Collaborative during Technical Assistance workshops held during the Catalyst RFP phase.
- Team Page: Wondering who to connect with to get involved with Sierra Jobs First? The Team’s page includes contact information for all Sierra Jobs First team members and the Industry Sector Coordinators for each target Sector. You are welcome to reach out directly to the Sector Coordinator or team member who best fits your area of interest– or, email jobsfirst@sierrabusiness.org to be connected with the most appropriate person.
- Calendar Page: In an effort to make the most important dates easier to see, the calendar page has moved to a list format. As dates, times, locations, and “click to join” links for public meetings become available, they will be added to the Calendar page. Required attendees at meetings (eg: voting members of the Governing Council for council meetings, etc.) will receive a Google Calendar invite with those links as they become available.
Get Involved! Industry Workgroups Forming Soon
Under the guidance of our Industry Sector Coordinators, industry workgroups will begin meeting in Q1, 2025. Workgroups are open to any interested community members, from industry experts, employees, and employers, to everyday community members who see the importance of that sector’s impact on their community.
If you wish to get involved, please contact the appropriate Industry Sector Coordinator:
Healthcare
Dr. Jennifer Burrows, Ed.D, MSN, PHN, RN
jennifer.burrows@cerrocoso.edu
Motherlode Job Training (MLJT)
James Hanson
jhanson@mljt.org
Natural/Working Lands
Motherlode Job Training (MLJT)
James Hanson
jhanson@mljt.org
Clean Energy
Sierra Business Council (SBC)
jobsfirst@sierrabusiness.org
Sustainable Rec & Tourism
Mammoth Lakes Trails + Public Access (MLTPA)
John Wentworth
johnwentworth@mltpa.org
Mat Galvan, Sierra Focus Media (SFM)
mathew@sierrafocusmedia.com
Agriculture
Motherlode Job Training (MLJT)
James Hanson
jhanson@mljt.org
2025 Dates to Remember
Mark your calendars now for the 2025 Governing Council meetings that are open to the public, including members of the Collaborative and all interested community members:
June 13, 2025: In-person in Sonora (virtual option)
Sept. 12, 2025: In-person in Mammoth Lakes (virtual option)
Dec. 12, 2025: 9 am (virtual)
Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Headed
For the December, 2024 Governing Council year-end update meeting, the team created this one-page overview of “Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Headed,” including links to deliverables, such as the Regional Summary and Strategic Plan, plus metrics for community engagement in 2024 and key dates and deliverables for the first half of 2025.
If colleagues or contacts are curious about Sierra Jobs First, it would make a great introductory piece to the work done so far and the important work to come.
We invite you to pass it along!