Ventura County Works

Ventura County Works
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Welcome to Ventura County Works, the official podcast of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board, dedicated to bringing people and opportunities together.

  1. MAR 25

    E48: Healthcare is Human Care: Building Ventura County's Healthcare Workforce

    Tune in for a conversation with Celia Daniels, Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting, about the evolving healthcare workforce and the many opportunities within one of Ventura County's most vital industries. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and life sciences, Celia shares insights on the growing demand for talent, why compassion and people skills remain essential in healthcare roles, and how careers in the field extend far beyond traditional clinical paths. The conversation explores workforce challenges facing employers, strategies for recruiting and retaining talent, and the importance of partnerships between employers, educators, and workforce organizations to create pathways into meaningful healthcare careers. Celia also reflects on the importance of health equity and reminds us that at its core, healthcare is human care.

    29 min

  2. JAN 29

    E47: Partnerships at Work: The Port of Hueneme and Ventura County's Workforce

    In this episode of Ventura County Works, Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with Port of Hueneme leader and Workforce Development Board member Miguel Rodriguez for a special installment of the "Board Member Minutes" series. Miguel shares his professional journey and what drew him to community relations and workforce development, offering an inside look at how the Port of Hueneme serves as a major economic engine for Ventura County. The conversation explores how his role bridges economic development, community engagement, and workforce strategy, along with the unique challenges and opportunities facing the maritime and logistics sector.

    23 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    E46: Aligning Strategy, Funding, and People: InsideTrak's Vision for Workforce Growth

    In this episode of Ventura County Works, host Rebecca Evans is joined by Laura Martinez and Natalie Lehman to discuss leadership, community connection, and innovation in workforce development. They share how their work on the Workforce Development Board helped inspire InsideTrak: FutureReady Workforce and explain its concierge-style approach to aligning strategy, funding, and partnerships to help employers build sustainable, future-ready workforce systems.

    30 min

  4. 10/14/2025

    E45: Building Community Through Business: A Conversation with Former Board Chair Stephen Yeoh

    In this episode of Ventura County Works, Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with small business owner and past Board Chair Stephen Yeoh for a special installment of the "Board Member Minutes" series. Stephen shares his journey as an entrepreneur in Ventura County, reflecting on what inspired him to start his business and how local partnerships support economic growth. He discusses his experience serving on—and leading—the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, offering insights into the region's most pressing workforce challenges and opportunities. Together, Rebecca and Stephen explore how small businesses fuel innovation, create jobs, and strengthen community ties, while highlighting the shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive local economy.

    14 min

  5. 09/17/2025

    E44: Leading with Service and Equity: A Conversation with Board Member Lisa Safaeinili

    In this Board Member Minutes episode of Ventura County Works, Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with nonprofit leader Lisa Safaeinili to explore how service and equity drive workforce innovation. Lisa shares her journey into nonprofit leadership, the mission of her organization, and what inspired her to join the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. Together they discuss the workforce challenges that matter most right now, moments of impact since Lisa joined the board, and her hopes for the future of work—offering listeners an inside look at how dedicated community leaders are building inclusive career pathways for all.

    19 min

  6. 08/05/2025

    E43: From Corporate Leadership to Community Impact: Insights from Board Member Ken Wiseman

    Tune in to this episode of Ventura County Works as we kick off our new segment, Board Member Minutes, with Ken Wiseman—business owner, community leader, and long-time advocate for lifelong learning. Ken shares his journey from leading a large corporate operation to revitalizing historic spaces in Piru, and how his experiences fuel his passion for workforce development. Discover why small business perspectives are essential on the workforce development board, the challenges facing Ventura County's labor market, and how resourcefulness, collaboration, and nimbleness are shaping the future of work in our region.

    23 min

  7. 08/04/2025

    E42: Humanizing AI: Equity, Empathy, and Innovation

    Tune in to this powerful episode of Ventura County Works as we explore how artificial intelligence can either widen or bridge equity gaps in the workforce. Celia Daniels, board member of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board and Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LLC, shares how AI systems, if designed without inclusive input, can reinforce existing biases and shut out marginalized communities, including farmworkers, justice-impacted individuals, disabled people, and non-English speakers. You'll discover why "bringing AI to the people" is essential, how workforce boards can play a pivotal role in shaping ethical tech, and what it takes to build AI systems that truly serve everyone.

    33 min

  8. 06/18/2025

    E41: Opportunity in Action: Inside the NextGen Youth Program

    In this episode, you'll discover how Ventura County's NextGen program is helping young people ages 14 to 24 prepare for successful futures through hands-on job experience, education support, and personalized guidance. You'll learn how the program removes barriers to employment by offering paid work opportunities, mentorship, career exploration, and essential life tools at no cost to participants. Whether you're a student, a parent, or a community member, this conversation will give you insight into how NextGen empowers youth to build confidence, gain critical skills, and take their next steps toward long-term success.

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Ventura County Works, the official podcast of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board, dedicated to bringing people and opportunities together.

Information

  • Creator
    Ventura County Works
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Ventura County Works