Hawaiʻi Worker Equity Lab Webinar Series
An initiative of HWFC's Hawaiʻi Worker Equity Lab, the Workforce Webinar Series brings together community and partner organizations to share insights, initiatives, and best practices in a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment.
This series offers webinar presentations and panel discussions, each focusing on a specific topic or issue related to workforce development. Featuring guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields, the webinars engage participants in robust discussions and offers a safe space to co-share and provide valuable insights.
The Lab's Workforce Webinar Series aims to ignite discovery, celebrate diversity, and empower worker voices from communities across Hawaiʻi. It serves as a platform to engage stakeholders across the various sectors, foster collaboration, and provide resources and tools for job seekers and employers alike. Community members and partners are invited to discuss a wide range of topics impacting workforce development in Hawaiʻi.
Aligned with our mission to strengthen systems, communities, and pathways, this forum helps explore and develop new ideas, challenge and navigate existing workforce systems, expand partnership reach and networks, contribute to community initiatives, and deepen our understanding of what it takes to create and maintain good jobs in Hawaiʻi. The series is free and open to everyone.
Upcoming Events + Past Recordings
CNHA Hawaiian trades academy: “Building pathways that uplift lāhui and generate economic empowerment in Hawai‘i households”, webinar with nass santos
📅 Date: Thurs, August 21st, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am HST
📍 Location: Virtual – Zoom (link provided upon registration)
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Manasseh “Nass” Santos, Program Manager for the Hawaiian Trades Academy at CNHA (Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement). This session will explore how workforce training rooted in community needs and cultural values can create high-wage opportunities for Hawai‘i residents—and strengthen economic resilience in local households. Nass will share how CNHA’s Hawaiian Trades Academy is building pathways to certification in various trades, cultivating employer partnerships, and supporting learners beyond the classroom to unlock access to real, sustainable careers.
About the Presenter:
In his current position as a part of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, Nass oversees the program and supervises two program staff members. Nass’ work also includes implementing workforce development training and certification classes, with the intent of strengthening Hawai’i’s workforce in different trade industries, and providing local people with the opportunity to live here in Hawai’i more comfortably by receiving higher paying jobs through the skills and certifications they earned through the academy.
Nass also looks to develop relations with employers within industries that are relevant to the academies being offered. Although the academy does not provide direct-to-hire, the goal is to present our graduates with employment opportunities offered by companies, organizations, and unions within our employer network. Maintaining relations with applicants, students, and graduates is also a vital part of Nass’ kuleana that allows for the academy to constantly explore how we can better serve the community. Prior to CNHA, Nass was an All-Source Intelligence Analyst servicing on Active Duty within the Air Force. Nass has a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Grand Canyon University and an Associates Degree in Intelligence Studies from the Community College of the Air Force.
Don’t miss this chance to learn how education, equity, and opportunity go hand in hand in Hawaiʻi’s workforce future.
🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vslnVhNjQ8eWlauLhhly1A#/registration
Building Careers in Construction with BIA Hawai’i’s PACT Program - a webinar with roseann Freitas
Curious about launching a career in Hawaiʻi’s construction industry?
Join us for an inspiring and informative webinar featuring Roseann Freitas from the Building Industry Association of Hawai‘i (BIA Hawaii)—the voice of the construction industry in our state.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 17th, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm HST
Roseann will introduce BIA Hawaii’s PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training) Program, a free six-week, hands-on workforce training opportunity that equips participants with the essential skills, safety certifications, and confidence to step into the construction workforce. Whether you're new to the field or looking to upskill, this is your chance to learn about a proven pathway into one of Hawai‘i’s high-demand industries.
Don’t miss this chance to explore opportunities, ask questions, and build your future with BIA Hawaii!
About The Speaker: Roseann Freitas is an accomplished business leader and seasoned communication and marketing professional, currently serving as the CEO of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA-Hawaii). With a proven track record in building strong relationships with business professionals, government organizations, media, and team members, Roseann excels in establishing brand awareness and developing strategic growth opportunities and partnerships. Her leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in driving the success and growth of BIA-Hawaii.
About BIA Hawaii: The Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA Hawaii), established in 1955 and affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, is a professional trade organization that represents Hawaii’s construction and building industry. Its mission is to promote its members through advocacy, education, and community outreach to enhance the quality of life in Hawaii. BIA Hawaii engages in legislative advocacy, provides workforce development through its Construction Training Center of the Pacific in Waipahu, and offers over 50 classes annually, including free pre-apprenticeship training for eligible individuals. The organization also hosts major industry events like the BIG Home Building and Remodeling Show and the Building Industry Design + Construction Awards. With nearly 400 member companies across construction, design, and development sectors, BIA Hawaii offers members visibility, training, networking opportunities, and business support.
The NRSP: Strengthening Hawaiʻi’s Natural Resource Workforce Through Collaboration
The NRSP: Strengthening Hawaiʻi’s Natural Resource Workforce Through Collaboration
🌿 Join Us to Learn More About Hawaiʻi’s Natural Resources Sector Partnership with Elia Herman 🌿
You're invited to an upcoming webinar showcasing an exciting movement in Hawaiʻi — the Natural Resources Sector Partnership (NRSP) — a collaborative effort between educators, industry professionals, and community leaders working together to prepare and inspire Hawaiʻi's students to meet the current and future demands of natural resource professions in Hawaiʻi.
📅 Date: Monday, July 14th
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM HST
🔗 Register here to reserve your spot: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2WoIDDZBSpaHtIlOaBG6rA
The NRSP’s work has been focused on meeting both current and future workforce demands across conservation, environmental science, sustainable agriculture, cultural resource management, and more — all while centering local values and deepening connections to ʻāina.
What to Expect:
Key updates and accomplishments over the past few years
Emerging trends and workforce needs in Hawaiʻi’s natural resource sectors
Insights from education and industry leaders on aligning classroom to career pathways
Actionable next steps for building a sustainable, local talent pipeline
Check out the Natural Resource Careers Video🔗 and beautifully designed career posters🔗—perfect for inspiring the next generation of land stewards and environmental changemakers!
Whether you're in education, conservation, land stewardship, or workforce development, this is a chance to learn more about taking action in shaping the next generation of local talent.
"Turn the Tide: Solving Hawaiʻi's Wastewater Workforce Shortage" by Gabby Saba Zimmer of WAI
Expanding Hawaiʻi’s Water Workforce with WAI—Opportunities & Innovations
Join us for an in-depth presentation on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s workforce through WAIʻs Work-4-Water initiative and the EPA Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program. This webinar will build on insights shared by Gabby at the recent Pacific Water Conference, with added focus on workforce-specific challenges and solutions, including:
Hawaiʻi’s Job Market & Sector-Specific Shortages: Addressing critical workforce gaps in water and wastewater management.
Expanding Work-Based Learning: Enhancing pathways for wastewater careers through hands-on training and industry collaboration.
Customizing Career Pathways: Supporting entry and advancement with tailored workforce solutions.
Addressing Geographical Disparities: Leveraging hybrid learning models to increase accessibility and equity.
As we expand these efforts in Hawaiʻi, this session will provide a collaborative space for industry leaders, educators, and workforce professionals to discuss strategies for developing a skilled and resilient water workforce.
Transforming Career Journeys through human-centered design - a webinar by the national fund for workforce solutions
Exploring Career Navigation from a national perspective: Insights into Action
In 2023, our national network partner, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, launched a research initiative to better understand career navigation across the country. From Boston to San Francisco, Chicago to Birmingham, workers shared diverse experiences that revealed a key insight—career navigation works best when workers have the power to shape their own journeys.
Now, we’re turning those insights into action. The National Fund is partnering with employers in eight regions to apply human-centered design approaches that improve career navigation and workforce development. This session will highlight key lessons, early results, and real-world applications from two regions and sectors. Employer partners will share successes, challenges, and the impact of these innovative strategies.
Join us on Wednesday, March 26, from 8:00–9:30 AM HST (2:00–3:30 PM Eastern) to explore how these insights can be applied locally in Hawai‘i. Using Human-Centered Design concepts and tools as another opportunity for learning, un-learning and engagement with workforce issues impacting our communities, together we can leverage worker insights and implement best practices to build a resilient sustainable and thriving workforce here in Hawaiʻi.
The State of Healthcare in Hawaiʻi: Key Insights & Innovations from HAHʻs 2024 Workforce Report - A Webinar with JANNA HOSHIDE, HAH
The State of Healthcare in Hawaiʻi: Key Insights from HAHʻs 2024 Workforce Report
A Webinar on The State of Healthcare in Hawaiʻi: Key Insights & Innovations from HAHʻs 2024 Workforce Report
Discover the latest insights into Hawaiʻi’s evolving healthcare workforce with Janna Hoshide, AVP of Workforce Development at the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi (HAH)—representing 170 healthcare organizations across the full continuum of care.
We’ll dive into key findings from the Hawaiʻi Healthcare Workforce Initiative’s 2024 Report, highlighting how strategic collaborations between industry, community, government, and education have helped reduce the state’s healthcare job openings over the past two years. Yet, with demand for healthcare professionals still surging and workforce shortages impacting patient care, how can we continue strengthening the talent pipeline and supporting the next generation of healthcare workers?
Join us as we explore:
Hawaiʻi’s latest healthcare workforce trends
Innovative solutions addressing critical staffing challenges
Opportunities to shape the future of healthcare in our islandsWhether you're a healthcare professional, educator, policymaker, community leader, or engaged citizen, this conversation is vital to ensuring a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce for Hawaiʻi.
Date: Friday, March 14th 2025
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am HST
Access the 2024 HAH Healthcare Workforce report here.
Webinar Resources
“Crisis To Opportunity” Workforce Report: Webinar with Matt Stevens
A resilient and inclusive workforce is essential to Hawai‘i’s future.
Last month we launched our report: From Crisis to Opportunity: Building Hawai‘i’s Workforce Resilience, which highlights the urgent challenges facing our workforce and provides a bold vision to ensure economic stability and prosperity for all.
This resource outlines strategic, data-driven solutions to address workforce shortages, improve job quality, and create equitable career pathways—especially for underserved communities. It also provides actionable steps for policymakers, employers, educators, and workforce leaders to drive real change.
🔹 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The current state of Hawai‘i’s workforce & key challenges
✅ Strategies to expand access to family-sustaining careers
✅ Opportunities for businesses, educators, and policymakers to take action
✅ A roadmap to ensure Hawai‘i’s workforce is future-ready by 2035
Webinar Resources
Good Jobs in Hawai'i: Perspectives from Community Voices & Insights from Publicly Available Data (Matt Stevens - Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative)
Discover the defining qualities of "Good Jobs in Hawai'i'' in an engaging session that examines the topic through a dual lens. First, we will share the voices and experiences of communities across the state, exploring how their insights shape our understanding of job quality. We will then examine the publicly available data that supports these community narratives, providing a comprehensive view of what makes a job "good" and its impact on both job-seekers and employers.
Understanding these distinctions through publicly available data can enhance our knowledge of the labor market, highlight equity of access to quality employment, and serve as a foundation for partnerships aimed at developing meaningful and sustainable employment across the state. Join us to gain a deeper insight into what creates equitable access to good jobs for all Hawai'i residents, and learn how these factors contribute to a thriving local economy. This interactive session promises to provide valuable perspectives on aligning job quality with the needs and aspirations of Hawai'i’s workforce.
Webinar Resources
Extra Popsicle Sticks: Unveiling Bias in Workforce Development (Leinaʻala Nakamura - WorkHawaiʻi)
In the realm of workforce development, additional layers of processes, forms, and records often inadvertently create hurdles for program enrollment. These “extra” barriers are sometimes rooted in unintentional yet personal biases, impeding equitable access and participation from the vulnerable communities for which these programs were intended to serve.
Explore how these obstacles arise, their impact on program enrollment, and strategies to counter and diminish biases within workforce development processes. Don't miss this chance to glean insights and tools for forging more inclusive and accessible pathways in workforce development.
Webinar Resources
Strategies for Skills-Based Hiring (Vanessa Rogers - Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi)
Our first session, held on Thursday, March 28th, brought to the forefront an invaluable discussion on "Strategies for Skills-Based Hiring," featuring Vanessa Rogers, Associate Vice President of Workforce Development at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi.
This enlightening webinar provided attendees with a deep dive into the transformative approach of skills-based hiring. Vanessa Rogers led us through the intricacies of identifying, assessing, and selecting candidates not just based on traditional qualifications but their specific skills and competencies. This method opens new doors for employers and job seekers alike, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.
Highlights of the session included:
Identifying Key Skills: Understanding what competencies are essential for success in your organization and how to pinpoint them.
Overcoming Barriers: Discussing common obstacles to skills-based recruitment and strategies to navigate these challenges.
Integrating Skills Assessments: Recognizing the value of incorporating skills assessments into the hiring process to identify the best candidates.
Embracing Alternative Credentials: How to broaden your candidate pool by valuing diverse forms of qualification.
Fostering Talent Development: Providing training and development opportunities to not only attract but retain top talent.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Vanessa Rogers for sharing her expertise and insights, paving the way for a more skill-focused hiring landscape in Hawaiʻi.
Webinar Resources
What Workers Look for in a Good Job in Hawaiʻi (Matt Stevens - Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative)
On 12/7/23, HWFC had an opportunity to present the findings of our "A Good Job in Hawaiʻi" framework in a webinar hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. We had the chance to share our learnings with employers, industry representatives, and training providers -- and we had the opportunity to engage these stakeholders directly on how we might all best support workers in finding and retaining the types of jobs they are asking for.
Watch the recording of the webinar to learn about our work — if you are a stakeholder who is already adopting some of these ideas, an employer that has questions about the things you can do to create the types of jobs described in the report, or if you just have comments or ideas about where this work can go next, please reach out to us.