Building Solano County’s Workforce Together
Preparing today’s students for the careers of tomorrow
Why This Matters – Right Now
Solano County is facing real economic challenges that underscore the importance of strengthening workforce readiness and preparing for what comes next. Industries are evolving, reinforcing the need for a resilient and adaptable workforce.
At the same time, this moment presents an opportunity to strengthen what will determine Solano County’s future competitiveness: a skilled, prepared local talent pipeline.
Regions that attract and retain businesses are those that can demonstrate workforce readiness. Employers look for communities where education, industry, and workforce systems are aligned, and where talent is developed intentionally to meet evolving needs.
This is why Career Technical Education matters now. By strengthening CTE pathways and aligning them with real workforce demand, Solano County can position itself to adapt, compete, and attract future investment while creating long-term opportunity for students, employers, and communities.
What is Career Technical Education (CTE)?
Career Technical Education connects learning to real world opportunity.
CTE programs combine academic knowledge with hands on training to help students explore careers, build practical skills, and earn industry recognized credentials while still in school.
CTE pathways offer hands on, real world learning, exposure to high growth, high wage careers, industry certifications and dual college credit, mentorship, internships, and applied learning, and clear pathways to college, apprenticeships, the military, or the workforce.
CTE turns education into a launchpad, not an endpoint helping students make informed choices about their futures.
Strengthening Career Pathways Together
Across California, nearly half of all jobs require education beyond high school but not a four year degree. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in Career Technical Education programs because they deliver real results. Strong CTE systems are linked to higher graduation rates, increased college and career readiness, improved employment outcomes and wages, and stronger local economies.
Yet challenges remain.
In Solano County, CTE growth is limited by instructor shortages, uneven access to pathways, misalignment between education and industry needs, and too few work based learning opportunities in high growth sectors. These challenges cannot be solved by schools alone.
No single system can build a workforce by itself. Employer, workforce, and community participation is essential to ensuring CTE programs reflect real industry needs, emerging technologies, and the skills required for tomorrow’s jobs. Your voice matters because you understand local workforce needs and challenges, you see the barriers students face, and you know how industry is evolving.
When education and opportunity are aligned, everyone benefits. Students gain clear pathways to success, employers gain a skilled and prepared workforce, and the entire community grows stronger.
What is Launching Futures?
Launching Futures is a collaborative initiative led by the Solano County Office of Education in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Solano County. Together, these partners are aligning education, industry, and workforce efforts to strengthen Career Technical Education pathways across Solano County.
The initiative brings together K–12 and college educators, employers and industry leaders, workforce and economic development partners, community based organizations, and families around a shared commitment to student success.
This is not about creating something new. It’s about strengthening what already exists, closing gaps, and ensuring every learner has access to a clear, supported pathway to success.
Join the Launching Futures Advisory
Solano County’s future workforce is being built right now. Your insight can help shape it.
Launching Futures Advisory Meeting
March 24, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Solano County Office of Education
5100 Business Center Drive
Fairfield, CA 94534
Be part of the conversation. Strengthen partnerships. Help build pathways that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers.
