SLO Partners is Paying $500 to Five Local Women to Learn Manufacturing Skills

Demand is High for Skilled Workers in Manufacturing on the Central Coast  

[San Luis Obispo, CA, May 23, 2023] SLO Partners, a leading provider of apprenticeship programs in California, today announced it will pay five local women $500 to gain modern manufacturing skills. 

The scholarship program aims to increase local women's representation in STEM careers and meet local workforce needs. Demand for skilled workers is high for manufacturing companies located on the Central Coast. Businesses based here have continued to experience growth and expand their workforce.

On completion of the seven-week program, locals will qualify for a job in a growing field that offers upward mobility. The part-time training is hands-on and skills are learned through fun activities like building a drone, 3D printing, and wiring a remote control car. 

“This is a great opportunity for mothers looking to re-enter the workforce or women who love to build or craft things, and work with their hands,” said Paula Mathias-Fryer, Senior Director at SLO Partners. “This program will put you on a path to attaining a career here on the Central Coast - something we know can be challenging to find.”  

All SLO County women and nonbinary individuals are welcome to apply - no prior manufacturing experience is required. Locals interested in upskilling need to register online, and pay a $99 registration fee to enroll in the June 2023 Modern Manufacturing Bootcamp. Registrants will receive a scholarship check of $500 upon successfully completing the course.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about and work with the equipment I would otherwise not have access to,” said Carrie Wentzel, a graduate of the Modern Manufacturing bootcamp. “The support of the SLO Partners’ staff and the skills I learned gave me access to a rewarding career path.”

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About SLO Partners (www.slopartners.org)

SLO Partners is a leading provider of career upskilling and modern apprenticeship programs in California and a winner of the 2020 CA Partnership for Industry and Education award. Formed in 2014 as an initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, its mission is to create accelerated career pathways allowing residents to earn head-of-household incomes, while simultaneously solving a skilled talent shortage for local, growing businesses. The nonprofit has produced several intensive upskilling programs: FullStack Software Developer, Software Testing, IT Networking, Precision Manufacturing, and Digital Marketing. Together, these have produced over 150 career opportunities in SLO County in tech and manufacturing roles creating a $5M local annual economic impact. For more information watch the ‘SLO Partners: How it Works’ video and visit www.slopartners.org.