Workforce Access
IGNITE responds to the growing gap between manufacturing industry demand and young adults' access to skilled career pathways.
Project Impact and Innovation
Project IGNITE
Connecting young adults to advanced manufacturing pathways
Project Summary
Project IGNITE is a collaborative initiative funded by a We Prosper Together Grant to develop an inclusive, employer-informed manufacturing training program for young adults in disinvested communities across the Capital Region.
Services
Services include grant development, project coordination, community engagement, training support, equity-centered planning, recruitment support, data collection, and impact reporting. The team also supports curriculum development, stakeholder engagement, and the development of the employer-informed training blueprint.
Funding AgencyCalifornia Jobs First / We Prosper Together Catalyst Fund
LocationSacramento County / Capital Region, CA
Project Period2025 - ongoing
Project Focus AreasCapacity Building, Equity-Centered Design, Workforce Development
Priority Population
The program serves young adults ages 16-24 in Sacramento County, especially those who have not gone to college and are not currently in college.
Economic Mobility
The initiative supports short-term technical training, employer exposure, and long-term economic mobility in the Capital Region.
People reached
Estimated community members engaged through outreach and input opportunities.
Outreach events
Tracked events supporting recruitment, input, and program awareness.
Changed perception
Students said tours changed the way they see manufacturing.
Interest increased
Students reported increased interest in manufacturing and technical careers after IGNITE.
Project IGNITE
Investigating Growth Needs in Inclusive Technical Education through employer-informed advanced manufacturing training.
- Funding Agency
- Project Budget
- $335,936
- Project Lead
- Project Partners
- Location
- Sacramento County / Capital Region, CA
- Project Period
- 2025 - ongoing
- Project Focus Areas
- Services
Project Summary
A training blueprint from discovery to opportunity
Project IGNITE is a collaborative initiative funded by a We Prosper Together Grant to develop an inclusive, employer-informed manufacturing training program for young adults in disinvested communities across the Capital Region.
Recipients and sub-recipients include Aura Planning, Green Technical Education and Employment, Capital College & Career Academy, the Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance, and Roseville Precision. Together, they combine employer engagement, community outreach, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure to co-design a high-impact manufacturing training blueprint.
Aura also developed AuraLaunch, a dedicated software platform that provides a centralized registry of trainees participating in IGNITE courses. Inside the app, trainees can easily document their experience and skills, create professional resumes, and build portfolios that support their next steps into education and advanced manufacturing careers.
Other partners include Avanti Recruitment Solutions, DavTekLabs, Pride Industries, Siemens, Balance Staffing, Sacramento State, Sierra College, WeidnerCA, SEMI Foundation, Construction Innovations, and Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research.
Scope of Work and Service
Program coordination, engagement, and impact reporting
Services include grant development, project coordination, community engagement, training support, equity-centered planning, recruitment support, data collection, and impact reporting. The team also supports curriculum development, stakeholder engagement, and the development of the employer-informed training blueprint.
- Grant development, project coordination, and planning support
- Community outreach, input opportunities, and partner engagement
- Curriculum development and stakeholder engagement
- Training and trainee support
- Recruitment strategy, data collection, and impact reporting
Project Impact and Innovation
Connecting young adults to advanced manufacturing pathways
Workforce Access
IGNITE responds to the growing gap between manufacturing industry demand and young adults' access to skilled career pathways.
Priority Population
The program serves young adults ages 16-24 in Sacramento County, especially those who have not gone to college and are not currently in college.
Economic Mobility
The initiative supports short-term technical training, employer exposure, and long-term economic mobility in the Capital Region.
People reached
Estimated community members engaged through outreach and input opportunities.
Outreach events
Tracked events supporting recruitment, input, and program awareness.
Changed perception
Students said tours changed the way they see manufacturing.
Interest increased
Students reported increased interest in manufacturing and technical careers after IGNITE.
Gallery & Multimedia
Hands-on electronics and soldering training
Trainee Ambassador recruitment flyer
