SHRM Inland Empire Advances Workforce Priorities at Roundtable
By Michael Macias, SHRM-SCP
President, SHRM Inland Empire, and CHRO, CementPro
As part of SHRM’s August In-District Advocacy Campaign, I had the opportunity to meet with the staff of Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., to discuss several workplace issues critical to SHRM Members and the broader HR community. Our conversation focused on workforce challenges affecting both employers and employees across the Inland Empire in Southern California, including talent development, job quality, and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
That meeting led to an invitation to participate in the “Made in the 35th” 10th Anniversary Inland Empire Economic Development Roundtable, hosted by Torres. The event brought together leaders from business, education, and government to discuss the region’s evolving economy and its prospects for sustainable growth. Discussions centered on several pressing themes: workforce development, advanced manufacturing, housing affordability, and the logistics sector’s ongoing transformation — issues that continue to define the region’s competitiveness and quality of life.
Following the roundtable, participants were invited to complete the Inland Empire Economic Survey to help shape Torres’ updated road map for regional economic resilience. My submission emphasized SHRM’s “Big Three” policy priorities: strengthening Education-to-Employment (E²) pathways, supporting working caregivers, and promoting the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into the workplace. These priorities not only reflect SHRM’s national advocacy agenda but also align with the unique workforce needs of Southern California’s fast-growing regional economy.
A particularly meaningful outcome from this experience was connecting with Preethi Talwar, director of strategic projects at Chaffey College’s InTech Center in Fontana, Calif. InTech serves as a regional hub for technical training, registered apprenticeships, and workforce upskilling programs that prepare residents for high-demand, high-skill careers. This collaboration directly supports SHRM’s E² Initiative, bridging the gap between education and workforce readiness. Together, we are now exploring opportunities for partnership between SHRM Inland Empire, InTech, and regional employers to create stronger pipelines from learning to employment.
This experience underscores the power of SHRM’s advocacy efforts. Without that initial outreach through the August In-District Advocacy Campaign, there would not have been the same opportunity to engage in regional economic discussions or influence collaborations aimed at keeping the Inland Empire competitive. Advocacy opens doors — it connects the HR community to policymakers and, ultimately, solutions that strengthen the workforce and the economy.
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