Empowering Ag Families: Upcoming Events Help Farmworkers Access Job Training and Career Support

The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and Employment Connection of Tulare County are hitting the road with a new series of free, bilingual information sessions to help farmworkers and their families learn more about the Ag Skills Advancement program—and get enrolled on the spot.

These in-person events are part of an ongoing effort to support agricultural communities navigating a changing job landscape. With agriculture in Tulare County evolving due to new technologies, climate impacts, and regulatory shifts, the demand for new skills is growing. Ag Skills Advancement helps local farmworker families respond to these changes and take the next step toward greater economic stability.

What is Ag Skills Advancement?

Ag Skills Advancement connects Tulare County farmworkers and adult members of their households to no-cost job training, bilingual coaching, and wraparound support like help with childcare, transportation, and access to tools or equipment needed for training.

Participants can build skills for in-demand jobs in agriculture—such as equipment operation, irrigation, and agribusiness—as well as explore new career pathways in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

What to Expect at the Events

Each event will offer:

• Bilingual presentations about the program

• One-on-one enrollment support

• Food, music, and a welcoming environment for the whole family

Dates, times, and locations are listed at: www.employmentconnect.org/ag-skills-advancement

“Farmworkers are the backbone of our local economy,” said Jennie Bautista, Interim Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board. “This program helps them build on their experience, learn new skills, and pursue a better future for themselves and their families.”

Who Can Participate?

To qualify, participants must:

• Live in Tulare County

• Have at least one household member working in agriculture

All services are provided at no cost to participants, thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Disaster Relief National Dislocated Worker Grant program.