Education & Workforce · Initiative
WORKFORCE &
EDUCATION
BUILDING TURLOCK'S TALENT PIPELINE
Six interconnected programs that expand opportunity, deepen the City's relationship with CSU Stanislaus and TUSD, and build a workforce pipeline aligned with Turlock's economic future — from paid City internships and research partnerships to medical advocacy, job training, and workforce readiness support.
Funding Principle
Workforce and education programs are designed to leverage existing institutional partnerships — with CSU Stanislaus, TUSD, and regional employers — to maximize impact while minimizing new City expenditure. Grant funding, employer contributions, and shared program costs are the primary financing approach.
01
Workforce Development
PAID CITY INTERNSHIP PIPELINE
Establish a direct pipeline placing Master of Public Administration, MPS, and other relevant students into paid internships within City Hall, the Urban Development Commission (UDC), the Parks, Arts, Recreation & Community Commission (PARCC), and partner agencies.
Key Details
Open to MPA, MPS, and other relevant graduate and undergraduate students across all disciplines that support municipal operations and public service delivery
Placements span City Hall departments, the UDC, PARCC, and partner agencies — giving interns real-world exposure to city governance and policy implementation
Serves as both structured workforce training and a primary recruitment mechanism for the City of Turlock
Elevates public service as a professional career path — making city government a destination employer for the region's top graduates
Expands over time to cover all disciplines that support municipal operations: planning, finance, communications, public safety, parks, and more
02
University Partnership
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS
Formalize research and development partnerships with CSU Stanislaus to expand student-led research and program development focused on local and regional needs — with public-private partnerships supporting grants, pilot programs, and direct implementation.
Key Details
Student-led research focused on Turlock and regional priorities: housing, public safety, healthcare access, infrastructure, and economic development
Public-private partnerships to support research grants, pilot programs, and implementation strategies that directly improve quality of life for Turlock residents
CSU Stanislaus positioned as the primary research partner for city policy development — connecting academic capacity to real municipal challenges
Research outputs feed directly into city planning, commission work, and the five pillars of the Turlock Horizon
Pilot programs developed through the partnership can be scaled citywide or regionally based on demonstrated results
03
Healthcare & Research
MEDICAL ADVOCACY & INTEGRATION
Advocate to secure a UC Merced Medical Research Facility and Hospital for the region, and facilitate collaboration between Emanuel Medical Center and UC Merced — bringing advanced clinical trials and specialized care to Turlock.
Key Details
Advocate at the state and regional level to secure a UC Merced Medical Research Facility and Hospital serving the Central Valley
Facilitate formal collaboration between Emanuel Medical Center and UC Merced — creating a pathway for advanced clinical trials and specialized care in Turlock
Expanded medical research capacity brings economic development, high-wage jobs, and improved healthcare access to the region
Positions Turlock as a healthcare destination within the Central Valley — reducing the need for residents to travel to the Bay Area or Sacramento for specialized care
Aligns with the broader Tri-Agency framework by connecting CSU Stanislaus research capacity to regional healthcare and medical education goals
04
Long-Term Advocacy
THE "UC STANISLAUS" VISION
Long-term advocacy to elevate CSU Stanislaus toward University of California-level research capacity and recognition — unlocking expanded funding opportunities, academic prestige, and regional economic impact.
Key Details
Long-term advocacy campaign to elevate CSU Stanislaus toward UC-level research designation and recognition
UC designation unlocks significantly expanded federal and state research funding, grant eligibility, and academic prestige
Higher research classification attracts top faculty, graduate students, and industry partnerships to the Central Valley
Positions Turlock and Stanislaus County as a regional academic and innovation hub — comparable to the role UC Davis plays in the Sacramento region
Supports the broader K–Doctorate pipeline vision: from TUSD dual enrollment through graduate education to doctoral-level research anchored in the Central Valley
05
Workforce Development
JOB TRAINING & WORKFORCE PATHWAYS
Expand targeted job training programs aligned with local workforce needs in healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, hospitality, and infrastructure — directly integrated with City internships and hands-on placements within City departments, commissions, and the Horizon District.
Key Details
Targeted training programs aligned with Turlock's actual workforce needs: healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, hospitality, and infrastructure
Programs directly integrated with City internships and hands-on placements within City departments, commissions, and the Horizon District
Connects residents to the employment opportunities created by the Civic Anchor Project, Horizon District, and other major Turlock Horizon initiatives
Partnerships with local employers, trade associations, and regional workforce development boards to ensure training leads to real job placement
Prioritizes residents who face barriers to employment — including those re-entering the workforce, transitioning careers, or completing workforce re-entry programs
06
Workforce Readiness
DRESS FOR SUCCESS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Establish a formal partnership with local businesses, nonprofits, and retailers to provide professional attire, interview preparation resources, and workforce readiness support for individuals entering job training, internships, or workforce re-entry programs.
Key Details
Formal partnership with local businesses, nonprofits, and retailers — providing professional attire at no cost to qualifying participants
Interview preparation resources: coaching, mock interviews, resume support, and professional development workshops
Workforce readiness support for individuals entering job training programs, City internships, or workforce re-entry pathways
Removes a practical barrier that often prevents qualified candidates from presenting professionally during hiring processes
Builds a network of local business partners invested in the success of Turlock's workforce development ecosystem
The Bigger Picture
HOW IT ALL CONNECTS
These six programs are not standalone initiatives — they are a coordinated ecosystem. Each one reinforces the others, and all of them are anchored in the Tri-Agency framework and the broader Turlock Horizon.
TALENT STAYS LOCAL
Paid internships, job training, and workforce readiness programs keep Turlock's talent in Turlock — building careers here instead of exporting graduates to other regions.
CITY AS EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
By investing in workforce pipelines and elevating public service as a career, the City of Turlock becomes a destination employer — attracting the region's best graduates into public service.
CSU STANISLAUS AS REGIONAL ANCHOR
Research partnerships, the UC Stanislaus vision, and medical advocacy all point toward the same goal: making CSU Stanislaus a world-class institution that drives economic development and opportunity across the Central Valley.
"
Turlock's greatest asset is its people. Our job is to build the systems that give every resident a real shot — at a career, at a credential, at a future right here in the Central Valley.
— Jeremy Rocha
INVEST IN TURLOCK'S FUTURE
Support the campaign and help build the workforce and education pipeline Turlock deserves.