connect • explore • expand
THE FUTURE
OF STUDENTS & INDUSTRY
for the wellbeing of our community
Services
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National events are great to pare down and give local flare.
Examples:
• Entrée to Employment
A facilitated conversation over dinner or lunch with industry partners, students, and teachers for a deeper look into a particular industry.
• Made in VC
A local spin on National Manufacturing Day.
The first events were held at Ventura College with industry keynote speakers. Local manufacturing companies showcased their company products.
Robotic teams came and demonstrated their robots. Ventura College gave tours of the manufacturing program and the other career technical education programs on site.
In & Out provided dinner for all (family event in the evening)
• Sustainable VC
Set at the Oxnard Water Reclamation Facility, the facility lent itself to showcase many pathways from the Energy, Utilities and Environment, Engineering, Architecture, and Automotive (electric car club).
Students toured the facility and learned about water reclamation, and architecture, while industry spoke with students about careers in the many industries showcased.
Lunch was provided in Entrée to Employment style with industry, educators, and students.
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Industry Partners present challenges and desired outcomes to classes.
Students then work through each challenge to discover a solution over an agreed‐upon timeline.
Industry has the opportunity to visit and mentor during the project timeline.
SHINES culminates with students presenting their solutions to industry and staff.
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Do you have the most cost‐effective equipment and software to enable a sustainable program? Is professional development needed for instructors to achieve a robust program?
We build a plan, create a schedule, and work within your budget to build a sustainable program.
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For education, we align curriculum and projects from middle through high school to community colleges.
The result for educators is trust, talent, and a self‐contained support system.
For industry, we connect stakeholders and educators for training.
Educators can then forward their up-to-date industry knowledge to students.
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We gather education and industry partners to not only meet funding requirements, but to build lasting relationships between middle, high school, community college, and industry.
Advisory meetings set a standard baseline for a stronger workforce.
LM Eklund Consulting offers diverse services that strengthen, expand, and elevate workforce development with educational programs.
We play a crucial part in fostering collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners, and stakeholders.
With our deep involvement in industry and community, LM Eklund Consulting is uniquely positioned to help you fulfill your commitments through enhanced industry engagement and a wealth of opportunities for students.
Case Studies
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![Group of people standing in front of a sign that says 'Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab' with smaller text below reading 'Additive Manufacturing.' The group includes men and women of various ages, some wearing aprons and others casual clothing, inside a modern manufacturing or office space.]()
Professional Development | VC Manufacturing Program PD for Middle + High School Teachers
GOAL
Share industry knowledge with educators about “The Top 3 Tricks of Running a CNC Machine”OUR ROLE
LM Eklund Consulting coordinated professional development at Ventura College for middle and high school teachers across Ventura County.ACCOMPLISHMENTS
With students learning deeper skills at a younger age, they are better prepared when entering higher education and entry-level positions. This increases workforce potential, benefitting both students and industry.Educators gained more skills and knowledge to pass on to their students. They also connected with other teachers for resources and learned of available training at the community college.
High school teachers have continued to take classes offered at the community college after visiting and connecting with the industry instructor.
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![Women and girls wearing pink safety helmets and matching light blue long sleeve shirts working on a woodworking project at a table outside under a canopy. They are using tools and handling materials in a workshop environment.]()
Girls' Summer Camp | National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
GOAL
Provide a construction camp for girls to develop construction skills and learn how to work as a teamOUR ROLE
LM Eklund Consulting provided administration support and coordination through the Ventura County Office of Education for the site. We also handled registration, site access, and other supportive services for the project.ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Students gained confidence and learned skills that will last their lifetimes.Industry professionals participated in the growth of young girls by communicating career path opportunities.
Educators were supported with resources and industry involvement.
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![Student Design-Build Competition]()
Student Design-Build Competition | Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) SoCal
GOAL
Expand students’ knowledge of design, architecture, and engineering via a two-day shed-building competitionOUR ROLE
We connected educators with industry professionals including architects, carpenters, fall protection specialists, and suppliers. We also secured sponsorships from industry and material suppliers.ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Students had an expanded knowledge of design and building by working with industry professionals. They also learned the value of teamwork.Industry partners had an opportunity to impart knowledge, share about career pathways, and plant the seeds of future workforce development.
Educators built industry relationships and expanded work-based curricula.
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![Three people standing together inside a high-tech manufacturing or research lab. Three of them are smiling and one has arm around the other. Behind them are machinery, tools, a large monitor displaying the Windows desktop, and various lab equipment and workstations.]()
Industry Awareness Event | "MADE in VC" at Ventura College
GOAL
Spread awareness of manufacturing careers and training to students and parentsOUR ROLE
We conducted the event with industry partners and educators at Ventura College. We included local middle and high school robotics programs and STEMbassadors as well as regional manufacturing companies. We secured keynote speakers Titans of CNC and Jeremy Bout, the founder of Edge Factor.ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Students explored career options and training.Industry professionals connected with their potential workforce and built relationships with educators.
Educators gained a greater exposure to their programs in support by other educators and industry partners.
who we are
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At LM Eklund Consulting, our mission is threefold:
1. Connect educators with work-based learning
2. Expand a strong workforce
3. Promote students’ career exploration
Experiences create rich lives which build grit and confidence. We curate opportunities for students to explore career pathways through connecting with industry.
We are driven by the belief that a strong collaboration between career technical education (CTE) and industry enhances the students’ experience while fostering a dynamic, well-prepared workforce.
LM Eklund Consulting understands the unique needs and objectives of CTE and industry. Our commitment is to collaborate, build, and facilitate work-based learning initiatives that benefit all stakeholders.
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Expertise
With LM Eklund Consulting's extensive background and connections, we possess unparalleled expertise in aligning education and industry.
Tailored Solutions
We understand that every educational institution and industry has unique requirements. Our solutions are customized to meet these individual needs.
Impact
Our work has a direct and lasting impact on both students and industries, creating a win-win scenario for all stakeholders.
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Lisa Eklund’s early career was in farming, working the land on the Oxnard Plains from land prep to trucking lima beans to cannery. The hospitality industry led to her love of food, and the food led her to work at top wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Hospitality called her back to Ventura County where she met Gary Hardy, a framing contractor, and found her calling in the construction industry. While working for Gary, Lisa began her studies for Construction Technology at Ventura College, this connection would be what set the course for LM Eklund Consulting.
Looking to learn more about the industry, she started as an assistant superintendent for Lennar Homes advancing to a superintendent role. She managed the operations for a dry utility contractor and worked in commercial construction as a project manager.
A position as an Industry Liaison for Ventura County Office of Education opened up. The position was made available through a California Career Pathway grant. The funding provided a new support system between education and industry, a huge success for teachers, students, and industry partners.
The pivotal moment came when grant funding ran out. Lisa Eklund made it her mission to continue to strengthen workforce development through LM Eklund Consulting.
"We're dedicated to connecting education with industry to jumpstart students’ careers."
Lisa Eklund • Founder of LM Eklund Consulting