Request for Workshop Proposals

WORKCON 2026
Innovation by Design – Building Modern Solutions for the Workforce

Proposals Due Friday, February 6!

Introduction

The workforce development system is experiencing rapid and significant change. Economic shifts, emerging technologies, evolving workforce needs, and new policy directions are reshaping how workforce professionals, educators, community leaders, and employers design and deliver services. In this environment, thoughtful innovation and intentional design are critical to building systems that are responsive, effective, and future-ready.

For WORKCON 2026: Innovation by Design – Building Modern Solutions for the Workforce, the California Workforce Association invites workshop proposals that showcase forward-thinking ideas, creative approaches, and practical strategies that strengthen workforce systems and improve outcomes for individuals, businesses, and communities. This conference will highlight how modern tools, partnerships, and program design can drive meaningful progress across the workforce ecosystem.

CWA is seeking dynamic, engaging, and solution-oriented workshop proposals aligned with this year’s theme. Whether you are piloting new programs, redesigning service delivery, leading organizational change, leveraging data and technology, or advancing equitable access to employment and training, we encourage you to submit a proposal. WORKCON 2026 workshops should spark dialogue, share actionable insights, and equip participants with strategies they can apply in their work immediately.

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Understanding the Audience

WORKCON brings together the full spectrum of workforce development professionals from across California. Attendees include frontline staff, program managers, supervisors, executives, educators, community-based organizations, workforce development boards, labor partners, and employers. This diverse audience reflects the collaborative nature of the workforce system and the shared goal of strengthening outcomes for workers, businesses, and communities.

With more than 600 participants expected, WORKCON workshops should be accessible, practical, and relevant across roles and experience levels. Presenters are encouraged to design sessions that balance strategy with implementation, foster cross-sector dialogue, and offer ideas, tools, or approaches that attendees can adapt and apply within their own organizations and local contexts.

Desired Workshop Topics

Proposed workshops should focus on topics related to one or more of the following seven (7) topic areas, which represent the themes and focus of this year’s conference.

Please note that the descriptions listed under each topic area are intended to be illustrative and are not meant to represent an exclusive or exhaustive list of acceptable session topics. Proposals that address multiple topic areas or introduce innovative approaches aligned with the conference theme are encouraged.

General Workforce Strategies & System Innovation

Broad workforce development practices, system-wide approaches, emerging trends, and innovative models applicable across programs, populations, and regions.

Leadership, Strategy & Organizational Excellence

Workforce leadership, governance, strategic planning, change management, staff development, and building high-performing organizations.

Business Engagement, Industry Partnerships & Employer-Led Solutions

Employer-driven initiatives, sector strategies, work-based learning, and effective partnerships with business and industry.

Program Design, Service Delivery & Community Impact

Effective workforce services, customer-centered design, community-based approaches, cross-sector partnerships, and local or regional innovation.

Career Pathways, Training Models & Education Partnerships

Career pathways development, education and training alignment, work-based learning, and partnerships with education and training providers.

Youth, Young Adults & Opportunity Pathways

Strategies and programs supporting youth and young adults, including opportunity youth, early career exposure, and transitional populations.

Fiscal Management, Funding, Compliance & Policy in Practice

Fiscal oversight, grants management, budgeting, reporting, performance accountability, and translating policy and compliance requirements into effective operations.

Preparing Your Workshop Proposal

Workshops should incorporate active learning through discussion and interaction.
Workshops should be designed to fit within a 60 minute timeframe
Presentations should demonstrate how their success is linked to factors that reveal the underlying promising practice. This approach makes the presentation relevant to others and helps to move the discussion beyond mere "show and tell" sessions.
Panels should include no more than six (6) individuals.
CWA reserves the right to modify the titles and descriptions of workshops or merge similar proposals into a single session. Due to space limitations, not all proposals can be accepted.
While we appreciate the value of commercially available products and services within our industry, we request that sales presentations not be included in workshops. Presentations of this type will not be considered. However, we do offer sponsorships and exhibit space for those who are interested in connecting with our attendees in a way that promotes their sales and services.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Submit your proposal by completing the form linked below.