U.S. Secretary of Labor Visited Tulare County to Connect with Local Employers and Workforce Leaders

Federal visit highlights the power of local partnerships in building a stronger workforce and supporting Tulare County's economic future.

Tulare County's businesses are helping shape the future of our local workforce, and this week, their voices reached the highest levels of federal workforce leadership.

On Tuesday, October 20, U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling visited Tulare County to meet with local employers and workforce leaders, tour major dairy processing facilities, and learn firsthand how industry partnerships are helping businesses address workforce challenges and create career opportunities for residents.

Hosted by the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County (WIB), the visit was part of the Secretary's multi-stop tour across California to better understand regional economies, workforce needs, and innovative approaches to preparing workers for in-demand jobs.

A Firsthand Look at Tulare County's Industries

Tulare County is home to businesses that play an important role in our regional economy. As industries evolve, so do the skills employers need to remain competitive and grow.

During his visit, Secretary Sonderling and his team toured two major dairy processing facilities: Saputo in Tulare and California Dairies, Inc. in Visalia.

These visits provided an opportunity to see local operations firsthand and hear directly about the workforce skills needed to support these businesses.

For the WIB, connecting employers with workforce and education partners is central to building a workforce development system that responds to the real needs of local industries.

Bringing Employers to the Table

Beyond the facility tours, Secretary Sonderling participated in a roundtable discussion with WIB leadership, Board members, and business leaders representing the Tulare-Kings Agriculture, Industrial, and Healthcare industry partnerships.

These employer-led partnerships bring businesses together to identify shared workforce challenges, communicate changing skill needs, and work with education and workforce partners to develop solutions.

The discussion explored several important questions: How are industry changes affecting the skills workers need? What challenges do businesses face in finding and developing talent? And how can workforce and education partners better prepare people for the jobs available in our region?

Participants also shared examples of local collaboration and discussed ways the U.S. Department of Labor could support businesses, strengthen workforce services, and help workers advance in their careers.

The conversation reinforced an important principle behind the WIB's approach: Effective workforce solutions begin by listening to the businesses that create jobs and connecting their needs with opportunities for workers.

Local Collaboration, Broader Impact

For the WIB, the visit was an opportunity to showcase the relationships that make Tulare County's workforce development efforts possible.

"We are incredibly honored to welcome Secretary Sonderling and his team to Tulare County and to share the important work happening across our workforce development system," said Jennie Bautista, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County.

"What makes our sector partnership approach special is the collaboration behind it. Our businesses help identify the skills and talent they need, and our workforce, education, and economic development partners listen and respond. We are proud of the relationships we've built and how they're helping create meaningful opportunities for job seekers while strengthening our local industries."

This collaborative approach reflects the WIB's commitment to bringing employers, educators, workforce professionals, and community leaders together around a shared goal: helping businesses develop the talent they need while creating pathways to quality jobs for Tulare County residents.

Building a Stronger Workforce for the Future

The Secretary's visit brought national attention to the opportunities and workforce challenges facing Tulare County. More importantly, it created space for local employers and workforce leaders to share their experiences and perspectives directly with federal leadership.

As industries continue to evolve, the WIB remains focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting skills development, and connecting residents to careers that offer opportunities for growth and economic stability.

When businesses have access to the skilled workers they need, and residents have opportunities to build meaningful careers, our entire community benefits.

Learn more about the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County and our work to strengthen the local workforce at www.tularewib.org.