The State of the Worker Summit 2025 will once again bring together labor leaders, business executives, policymakers, and academic experts to take stock of the challenges and opportunities facing California’s workers.

This year’s Summit advances a bold new theme:

Creating Jobs for a New Economy.

The program will explore how emerging industries – from clean energy and utilities to aerospace and technology – are shaping the next generation of work. It will highlight how partnerships between labor, business, government, philanthropy, and nonprofits can ensure that workers are at the center of building the new economy.

Featured conversations will address:

• The role of utilities and energy leaders in creating pathways into the clean economy.
• How cities like Long Beach are leveraging aerospace and advanced manufacturing to drive local job creation.
• The role of philanthropy in preparing workers for jobs in a rapidly changing economic environment.
• Opportunities to diversify industries and prepare young people and historically disadvantaged communities for meaningful, family-sustaining careers.

Through moderated conversations and panel discussions, the event will examine the intersection of climate resiliency, immigration, wildfire recovery, and economic mobility – all within the frame of preparing workers for the future economy.

The State of the Worker Summit is conceived and produced by SAFER (Somos Accelerator for Economic Resilience), the nonprofit affiliate of Somos Group. SAFER partners with public and private stakeholders to build community resilience, promote equitable economic development, and accelerate shared prosperity across California.