WICE at Cal Poly Pomona strives to be the hub for all things workforce development and organizational learning. We highlight the latest news and innovations in learning and development, leadership, and organizational culture. Check in each month to our newsletter — Innovation Insider — to find insights and opportunities to strengthen your organization’s employee engagement strategies with updates from the WICE team.
Workforce News and Insights
Each week, WICE shares insights and updates that highlight research and events shaping workforce development. Find all our posts on our LinkedIn. Check out some of this month’s collection below.
There is no “one size fits all” framework for workplace learning.
The most effective training programs are tailored to their specific audiences. Some groups need more instruction; others need more time applying the skills they are learning.
Developing uniquely human capabilities.
As AI reshapes training, organizations must be intentional about developing uniquely human capabilities in their workforce. Critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are all crucial skills for a successful workforce.
Leading the Conversation
California Workforce Association Meeting of the Minds:
The WICE team attended the California Workforce Association Meeting of the Minds annual conference and presented in two sessions in collaboration with the Cal State University Office of the Chancellor.
Dean of the College of Professional and Global Education, Dr. Larisa Preiser-Houy, and special consultant, Dr. Regina Cash, spoke alongside Dr. Mandara Savage, Assistant Vice Chancellor of CSU Professional and Continuing Education, on “How CSU PaCE Partnerships are Driving Regional Impact” for workforce development.
Dr. Larisa Presier-Houy, Shelly Yu-Tze Wang, Ed.D., and Jacob Beyer from the WICE team also presented “The WICE Ecosystem: A Workforce Innovation Partnership Framework” with our partners SELACO WDB and Bronco CareerWorks by Roth Staffing. Through our partnerships, we are driving workforce development by rethinking how educational institutions, workforce development boards, and staffing firms can work together to impact learning and career outcomes for our audience.
We met with many workforce development partners to explore opportunities and learn how our counterparts are working to build pathways that lead to employment and expand access to opportunity. One theme emerged—we must listen to the needs of the field and work even closer. Today’s critical workforce issues will not be solved in silos.
Talent Development Summit:
WICE hosted our Inaugural Summit for the Talent Development Advisory Collective. The focus was Advancing Innovation: Balancing Technological Innovation and Human Experience to Drive Talent Engagement. The collective was formed as Cal Poly Pomona’s response to our industry partners’ request to create a community for training and development professionals across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.
We had the honor of Mark C. Crowley—author of The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Commitment to Building Flourishing Teams, TEDx speaker, and acclaimed podcaster—serving as our keynote speaker. He spoke about employee well-being as a driver for talent development and performance. His research has shown that when employees are well, they and their work flourish.
The collective discussed their experience championing employee well-being and engagement, and the impact AI is having on talent development. There are endless possibilities that AI may have on hiring, training, and well-being. These depend on industry and organization. But one thing remains universal; organizations that build human skills alongside technical skills are those that thrive.
Chedraui USA Training:
It’s a wrap. WICE and Chedraui USA delivered the first certificate program to its team, concluding in October. This 4-month-long program began in May, in partnership with Chedraui USA, a leading international grocery retailer. The program focused on supply chain management and provided a comprehensive foundation in the strategic, operational, and technical pillars of modern logistics. Operations and Front-Line Managers from Chedraui’s Rancho Cucamonga distribution center learned from subject matter experts with a combined 50 plus years of industry experience, with Cal Poly Pomona’s become-by-doing philosophy guiding instruction and experiences. This month, we celebrated the completion of the program, honoring the hard work of the trainees and instructional team.
The training was made possible through WICE’s partnership with the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO). Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Professional and Global Education secured $500,000 of California Employer Training Panel (ETP) funds to deliver programs like this and drive workforce development in the region.
Hear what Chedraui’s VP of Supply Chain Management, Sal Marcianti, has to say about the program.
Follow WICE to stay informed on the latest in workforce development and new opportunities to partner with us to develop customized learning solutions.