In response to persistent gaps in career advancement and mentorship for women, SLO Partners has launched The Next Wave, a three-month mentorship and professional development program tailored to women in San Luis Obispo County. The program is sponsored by San Luis Obispo County Office of Education and the SLO Career Technical Education Foundation.
SLO Partners has long prioritized gender equity in career programs. Fifty percent of participants in its bootcamps are women and the organization recently reached 50 percent female enrollment in its Modern Manufacturing bootcamp for the first time.
Designed in partnership with Women Making Waves, the initiative comes at a time when local data and national trends show women continue to face disproportionate barriers in pay, promotion and leadership access, despite being a growing force in the workforce.
“This program gives women tools, mentors and the structure to move forward with clarity and confidence,” said Paula Mathias-Fryer, Senior Director at SLO Partners. “It’s built for women who are ready to grow, reflect and make meaningful career moves on their own terms.”
Hands-On Format Meets Growing Local Demand
The Next Wave combines in-person and virtual sessions with mentorship, peer coaching and career goal-setting. Programming runs from September through December and includes one-on-one mentoring from regional leaders across sectors like design, engineering, retail and entrepreneurship.
Participants will walk away with a personalized career roadmap, a stronger sense of purpose and connections that extend beyond the classroom.
The program also reflects increasing demand for accessible, high-impact development opportunities for women navigating career transitions, whether returning to work, changing industries, or stepping into leadership for the first time.
“We kept hearing from women who were ready to grow, but didn’t know where to start or who to talk to,” said Tyler Skinner, Founder of Women Making Waves and creator of the Next Wave. “This is our answer: A community-powered structure where women can learn, plan and push forward, together.”
The program has been supported by a network of local businesses and past community partners, including RRM Design Group, Rick Engineering and Farm Supply Company.
For more information or to apply, visit slopartners.org/the-next-wave.