Recap of the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative’s “Engaging Youth in Industries” Event
On January 16, 2025, the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative, in partnership with Accenture, Mayor McCarthy’s Office, and The Human Bulb, hosted the “Work-Based Learning: Engaging Youth in Industries” event at Accenture Sacramento office. This event brought together educators, industry leaders, community partners, and students to discuss innovative ways to provide youth with hands-on learning opportunities in industries such as engineering and healthcare.
A Day of Collaboration and Inspiration
The event featured some amazing speakers, including Scott Stevenson and Janiela Bolds from Accenture, Cherell Howze and David Augusto from the Mayor’s Office, and Charlotte Danielsson (CEO) and Henry Chang from The Human Bulb. Their insights into the importance of mentorship and career pathways for youth helped set the tone for productive discussions, while also sharing their innovative strategies for connecting education with industry.
A special highlight was hearing from Sal Lascola, Engineering teacher at Monterey Trail High School, and his students from the Design and Technology Academy (DATA). Their stories showcased the real-world value of hands-on learning and the impact it has on shaping students’ educational experiences and career aspirations.
Addressing Challenges and Building Solutions
Throughout the event, we addressed the barriers youth face when transitioning from education to industry. From the need for more mentorship to expanding internship and apprenticeship programs, attendees worked together to identify solutions. The goal is to create pathways for youth, especially those from underrepresented communities, to gain the skills and experiences needed to thrive in the work force.
We also explored ways to build partnerships with companies interested in offering internships and apprenticeships that would provide young people with the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world settings, particularly in engineering and healthcare fields.
Get Involved
The conversation doesn’t end here. If you’re interested in supporting the next generation of engineers, healthcare professionals, and other industry leaders, we encourage you to get involved. Together, we can build more opportunities for youth to explore these dynamic fields and develop the skills they need for future success. Reach out to us at k16@capitolimpact.org to learn more about how you can help.
This event is just the first of several quarterly events aimed at bringing together various stakeholders from industry, education, and the community to collaborate and create pathways for youth. We’re excited to continue this important work and look forward to seeing where these partnerships and future events take us!
Thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event such a success. We look forward to what’s ahead!
