Across Santa Barbara County, schools are deeply committed to preparing students — not only for graduation — but for the world that awaits them. That means creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning that connects classroom knowledge to the expectations and needs of the workforce.
Fortunately, we are not doing this work alone. Our business community continues to be a powerful partner in education, opening doors to internships and job shadowing, and providing students with experiences that are both rigorous and relevant. These partnerships are more than generous — they are essential.
Employers across industries — from healthcare and engineering to early childhood education and construction — are telling us what they’re looking for in today’s graduates: professional communication, time management, reliability, and an eagerness to learn.
They value character and accountability as much as technical skills. They look for team members who are adaptable, have an entrepreneurial mindset, take initiative, know how to prioritize, problem-solve, and respond to change.
Schools learn from our business partners in real time and use that input to enhance instruction, strengthen career pathways, and ensure students are building the skills and qualities that matter most.
Across the Santa Maria Valley, more than 5,000 high school students are enrolled in Career Technical Education (CTE) courses, gaining certifications and work experience within industry sectors ranging from health science, ag business, and medical technology to culinary arts and construction technology. The result is a growing number of students who are graduating with a diploma and a clearer sense of what’s next.
This work comes to life in powerful ways through the many local partnerships our schools and students benefit from, including:
- Plantel Nurseries collaborates with Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) to give students hands-on agricultural experiences— like working with live plants, exploring modern farming equipment, and observing crop production techniques. They also donate many plants!
- An engineer from Arrow Screw Company worked with engineering technology students at the Mark Richardson Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center to troubleshoot the use of a 5-axis mill, guide the design process, code the machine, and integrate advanced manufacturing techniques into their learning.
- In partnership with local childcare centers, Righetti High School’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) students are shadowing professionals in early learning environments — helping pave the way for the next generation of childcare providers.
- Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley and Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) provide students with opportunities to engage in civic education, advocacy, and career exploration.
- Orcutt Academy and Allan Hancock College offer an early college “cadre” opportunity that allows high school students to earn associate degrees before graduation — at no cost to students.
- The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce connects businesses with schools to create ongoing opportunities for educators to better understand the industry-specific skills and tools their students will need on the job.
- Community Bank of Santa Maria and SBCEO’s Partners in Education offer job readiness workshops, helping students build resumes, understand financial basics, and practice professional communication with support from volunteer career coaches.
Those of us in the education profession are grateful to the partners who are right by our side, helping us to reinforce what we educators call “the four essential C’s”: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
To the incredible local businesses and industry partners who open doors for students or work alongside educators, we thank you for investing your time and energy into the students, families, and future of the Santa Maria Valley.
Local leaders, including myself and Dr. Kevin Walthers, superintendent/ president of Allan Hancock College, will come together to share insights into current initiatives and future plans for supporting students, schools and workforce development in the region at the annual State of Education event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, at the Santa Maria Fairpark.
We invite all interested to attend.
