Monterey Bay Regional Advanced Technology Workforce Training Center Feasibility Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monterey Bay DART releases Advanced Technology Regional Workforce Training Center Feasibility Study assessing need and opportunity for future-focused job skills training center and program.

Marina, CA – December 13, 2023. Monterey Bay DART is pleased to announce the release of an advanced technology regional workforce training center feasibility study in collaboration with the Hatamiya Group . The feasibility study assessed existing facilities, programs, structures, and site options to determine the need and demand for a new regional workforce training center.

“Our extensive data collection and thorough analysis of the Monterey Bay Region’s demographic and socio-economic makeup concluded that the Region retains the fundamental attributes for the potential development of a regional advanced manufacturing workforce training center,” says Lon Hatamiya, President and CEO of The Hatamiya Group. “Our conclusions highlight a younger, diverse, and less educated workforce actively seeking employment within the Region. This conclusion is further supported by the various survey responses and stakeholder outreach highlighting the need for current and future workforce training opportunities across Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.”

The following recommendations were set forth based upon key findings developed through key stakeholder interviews, surveys, extensive data analysis, and independent research:

  • Develop a collaborative partnership with Monterey Bay Region community colleges and universities to provide distributed workforce training courses based upon their existing and available curriculum.
  • Develop a specific advanced manufacturing training curriculum working in partnership with Monterey Bay region community colleges and universities, with input from an advisory board of local employers, industry leaders, and community-based organizations that meet their respective workforce needs now and into the future.
  • Plan, Design, and Implement an advanced manufacturing workforce training center that is centrally located and accessible to those in need of training and will be the site to deliver the specific advanced curriculum.

“We are excited to release this advanced technology workforce training center feasibility study to our multi-sector community of interest. The Monterey Bay region is at a pivotal moment to support rapid upskilling for jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle and robotics operations and maintenance, and other emerging technologies,’ says Josh Metz, Monterey Bay DART Executive Director. “We hope this study provides insights, policy and funding guidance to our workforce development and education focused community colleagues, and will help make such a center a reality in the Monterey Bay region.”

To read the full report, please use the form below or email your request to info@montereybaydart.org.

Feasibility Report Request

About Monterey Bay DART:

Monterey Bay DART is a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting innovation, future-relevant workforce, and economic development solutions. The initiative is a collaborative effort with representatives from local government, business, education, and community organizations. Visit montereybaydart.org for more details.

About the Hatamiya Group:

The Hatamiya Group is a consulting firm with over 30 years of experience in economic development, workforce development, and strategic planning. Specializing in working with public and private sector clients in California and throughout the United States, the Hatamiya Group brings a wealth of expertise to the completed feasibility study. Learn more at hatamiyagroup.com.

2023 Year in Review

Monterey Bay DART Year in Review: Soaring High in 2023!

2023 Year in Review

As we bid farewell to another remarkable year, we want to express our sincere gratitude for being part of the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology (DART) community. It has been a year filled with innovation, growth, and exciting developments, and we’re thrilled to share our Year in Review with you.

A Year of Achievements:

  • In October, Monterey Bay DART and CSUMB secured a $1.95 million grant from the James Irvine Foundation. This funding will build on our momentum, expanding the DART-Joby Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program (AMAP), launching the DART-FarmNG AMAP, strengthening partnerships with CBOs, and enhancing DART’s organizational capacity. 

Highlighting Key Projects:

  • Monterey Bay DART, in partnership with the Hatamiya Group, is finalizing a Feasibility Study which assessed the demand for a Regional Workforce Training Center focused on preparing the local workforce for the jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing, drones, automation, and robotics technology. Expected completion in Q1 2024.
  • The CITRIS Center for Drone Education and Research (CIDER) at UC Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay DART are continuing to make significant progress on our collaborative DART Workforce Skills Demand Study. This study is actively assessing the current and future workforce skills demand for the use of drones in agriculture, infrastructure inspection, construction monitoring, and related fields within the tri-county region. Expected completion in Q2 2024.
  • In June, Monterey Bay DART supported the planning, marketing and implementation of the UCANR Drone Camp at CSUMB, including 8 Drone Camp scholarships in partnership with Building Healthy Communities in Seaside. The UCANR Drone Camp celebrated its 6th year in Monterey acknowledging DART’s instrumental role in facilitating the UCANR and CSUMB collaboration.

Community Collaboration:

Our thriving community is at the heart of everything we do. This year, we’ve fostered even stronger partnerships and collaborations. Together, we’ve shared insights, exchanged ideas, and collectively worked towards shaping the future of community and economic development in our region.

  • In November, the Monterey Bay Joby Aviation Working Group celebrated Joby Aviation’s $9.8M Cal Competes Grant to expand their facility at Marina Airport. This award will leverage a $41.3 million investment by Joby, creating 690 full-time jobs statewide by 2027. Locally, this will open hundreds of job opportunities, building on the DART-Joby Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship pilot program.
  • In March, Monterey Bay DART hosted a delegation from the Kern Career Technical Education Campus (CTEC). Participants from Monterey Bay included Cabrillo College, UCSC, CSUMB, Monterey County, Learning For Life Charter School, MBEP, and Joby Aviation.
  • Additionally, DART was represented at the following community outreach events during the past year:
    • Black August 2023
    • Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce – Economic Vitality Committee
    • California Special Districts Association Annual Meeting
    • EDGE Collaborative iHub Convening, Manteca
    • ChicoStart – North State Familiarity Tour
    • SIEDI Annual Convening 2023 
    • MBEP State of the Region 2023 
    • CALED Annual Conference, Los Angeles 2023
    • DOT Inter-Agency Working Group on Advanced Air Mobility, October 2023

Industry Events and Engagements:

Looking Ahead to 2024:

As we embark on a new year, Monterey Bay DART is committed to exploring new frontiers and continuing to lead the way in the ever-evolving landscape of drone, automation, and robotics technology.

Thank You for Your Support:

None of our achievements would be possible without the unwavering support of our community, partners, and stakeholders. As we reflect on the past year, we’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Stay tuned for more exciting developments, projects, and collaborations in 2024!

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Monterey Bay DART Workforce Training Center Feasibility Study

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release 3/22/23 

Monterey Bay DART Partners with the Hatamiya Group to Study Feasibility of Regional Workforce Training Center for Future Jobs in Advanced Manufacturing, Drones, Automation, and Robotics Technology 

Marina, CA – Monterey Bay DART is pleased to announce that it has contracted with the Hatamiya Group to complete a regional workforce training center feasibility study. The study will assess the need and demand for a regional workforce training center focused on preparing the local workforce for the jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing, drones, automation, and robotics technology. The continued growth of Joby Aviation’s advanced manufacturing operations at the Marina Airport, along with the presence of a growing cluster of advanced air mobility, agtech, and national security oriented firms throughout the Central Coast are driving increased interest in career technical education, and demand for workers with future-relevant skills including carbon fiber manufacturing, electric drive train assembly and maintenance, robot operations and maintenance, and skills generally grouped under the mechatronics heading.

The Monterey Bay DART Initiative is committed to promoting good fit, future-relevant economic and workforce development in the Monterey Bay region. As part of this mission, it recognizes the need to invest in the local workforce and prepare them for the jobs of the future. The feasibility study will take into account existing facilities, programs, structures, site options, and other factors to assess the need and demand for a new regional workforce training center that will provide the necessary training for individuals seeking employment in the advanced manufacturing, drones, automation, and robotics technology fields.

“We are excited to partner with the Hatamiya Group on this important study,” said Josh Metz, Executive Director of Monterey Bay DART. “The development of a regional workforce training center focused on advanced manufacturing, drones, automation, and robotics technology will help create new opportunities for our local workforce, and support economic growth and development in our region.”

The study will include an analysis of labor market trends, employer demand, and workforce training needs in the Monterey Bay region. It will also identify potential funding sources and partnership opportunities to support the development and operation of the workforce training center. The study process will include data gathering through surveys and direct interviews with employers, educators, public agencies, elected leaders, and community organizations.

“We are honored to have been selected by Monterey Bay DART to complete this study,” said Lon Hatamiya, President and CEO of the Hatamiya Group. “We look forward to working with the Monterey Bay DART team to assess the need and feasibility of a regional workforce training center, and identify opportunities to support the growth and development of the local workforce.”

The feasibility study is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023. The findings and recommendations of the study will be presented to the Monterey Bay DART Board of Directors and made available to the public.

For more information, please contact the Monterey Bay DART office at ‪(831) 264-8299.

About Monterey Bay DART: The Monterey Bay Drone Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) initiative is a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting innovation, future-relevant, workforce, and economic development solutions. The team includes representatives from local government, business, education, and community organizations. Montereybaydart.org 

About the Hatamiya Group: The Hatamiya Group is a consulting firm specializing in economic development, workforce development, and strategic planning. The firm has over 30 years of experience working with public and private sector clients in California and throughout the United States. Hatamiyagroup.com