SLO Partners Expands Bootcamp Offerings to Meet Local Demand for Career Upskilling

San Luis Obispo, CA, April 2nd, 2024 - SLO Partners, a program of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and leader in career upskilling and apprenticeship programs in California, today announced the launch of four new bootcamps this spring and summer. These programs, tailored to meet the growing demands of the Central Coast job market, aim to equip participants with specialized skills needed for thriving careers. With an impressive employment rate of 90% for graduates seeking employment, SLO Partners continues to be a beacon of opportunity for residents.

The upcoming bootcamps will offer fast-tracked training and career opportunities in dentistry, hospitality, modern manufacturing, and early childhood education. The programs provide an accessible, affordable, and streamlined pathway for locals looking to transition into or access a new career. 

Building on the success of its first Dental Assistant Bootcamp earlier this year, SLO Partners is launching a second cohort starting on April 16 with expanded enrollment for 40 students. The first program saw overwhelming interest with a waitlist of hopeful participants, and many of the 25 graduates secured job offers before completing the bootcamp. The Dental Assistant Bootcamp provides comprehensive training in dental care essentials, offering participants a direct pathway into the thriving Central Coast dental sector.

In partnership with Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), SLO Partners will also host its inaugural Hospitality Bootcamp. This collaboration aims to provide fast-tracked training for current and aspiring hospitality professionals, featuring customer service training, resume and interview skills, and a local job fair. The bootcamp, which starts on April 30, presents a unique opportunity for locals to enter the flourishing hospitality industry.

The Ticket 2 Teach early education bootcamp will also run this summer, offering aspiring early educators the chance to work as paid apprentices while learning to teach. With a pressing need for early childhood educators in San Luis Obispo County and surrounding areas, the bootcamp seeks to address the shortage of qualified professionals in the field. Starting in June 2024, the program offers a tuition-free model and paid internships. Participants will earn at least $18/hour while working at designated early learning sites.

The fourth upcoming program is the Modern Manufacturing Bootcamp, a hands-on training program designed to fast-track careers in precision manufacturing. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in exciting activities such as building and flying drones, wiring remote-controlled cars, and exploring 3D printing technologies. The bootcamp, starting on June 17, 2024, offers a seven-week part-time schedule, with tuition set at $199 for the entire session. Moreover, women interested in manufacturing careers can apply for a Women in Manufacturing Scholarship.

Dr. James Brescia, San Luis Obispo County Superintendent of Schools, who oversees SLO Partners, remarks: “We continue to see strong demand from residents who strive to live and work on the Central Coast and businesses looking for specifically trained employees to help them grow and remain here. The success of SLO Partners has garnered attention locally and statewide as a model for how to marry public education with economic development.”

“I'm so fortunate to have received this opportunity to change me trajectory in life. I feel like I was able to show my daughter that it is never to late in life to achieve your dreams and follow your heart.” Heather Castleberry, Dental Assistant Bootcamp Grad  

To apply to the bootcamps, please visit https://slopartners.org/programs/. 

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About SLO Partners (www.slopartners.org)

SLO Partners is a leading provider of career upskilling and modern apprenticeship programs in California and a winner of the 2020 CA Partnership for Industry and Education award. Formed in 2017 as an initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, its mission is to create accelerated career pathways allowing residents to earn head-of-household incomes, while simultaneously solving a skilled talent shortage for local, growing businesses. The nonprofit has produced several intensive upskilling programs: FullStack Software Developer, Software Testing, IT Networking, Precision Manufacturing, and Digital Marketing. Together, these have produced over 150 career opportunities in SLO County in tech and manufacturing roles creating a $5M local annual economic impact. For more information visit www.slopartners.org.