L.A. Area Chamber Launches “The Paradigm Shift” to Transform Regional Workforce Development

by L.A. Area Chamber

LOS ANGELES, CA - December 5, 2025 - The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Broad Foundation and the CEO Council, announced the advancement of a major new workforce development initiative, The Paradigm Shift.

The initiative is designed to transform how employers and educators collaborate to train, recruit, and retain talent across Los Angeles.

Phase one addresses the region's most urgent workforce challenge: critical shortages in healthcare roles. The effort is coordinating employer hiring needs with educator training capacity across five high-demand occupations: Imaging Technologists, Surgical Technologists, Sterile Processing Technicians, Nursing Assistants/EMTs, and Data Scientists. Partners are now aligning open roles with available training seats, with student enrollment planned for late 2026.

"This is the kind of bold, coordinated action our region needs," said Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the L.A. Area Chamber. "The Paradigm Shift will help Angelenos access high-quality careers while ensuring employers can fill mission-critical jobs."

The initiative is led by Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita of the University of La Verne, with Peter Kaufman, formerly of McKinsey, serving as Initiative Manager. The Paradigm Shift was recently highlighted at the Business & Education Innovation Summit.

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About Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of a broad spectrum of organizations across the private, non-profit, academic, and public sectors, including the business community, job creators, and innovators in the Los Angeles region. Our mission is to design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that is inclusive and globally competitive. As the oldest and largest business association in the region, the Chamber has a long-standing history of convening business leaders, communities, and policy makers to promote a vibrant economy.

A Thriving Region for All.