Shawn Layden
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- Milken Institute1h 1m
Tech or Bust: Maintaining California's Edge in the Workforce
Patt Morrison, Marcie Jastrow, Shawn Layden, Tobias Sherman, Jay Tucker, Jeff Wong
A panel discussion highlighted how California's dominance in video games and film is eroding due to global competitors offering superior financial incentives and the state's high cost of living driving talent away. Experts emphasized an urgent need to address critical infrastructure gaps and a finite labor shortage by expanding early education initiatives and diversifying recruitment beyond traditional tech hubs. Recommendations include establishing integrated academies to teach adaptable skills, fostering inclusive internships for underserved communities, and leveraging virtual reality to sustain future industry growth.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
LIVE 11/08: Tech or Bust: Maintaining California's Edge in the Workforce #CALeading
Patt Morrison, Marcie Jastrow, Shawn Layden, Tobias Sherman, Jay Tucker, Jeff Wong
Facing intense global competition from regions offering direct cash incentives, California's $300 billion entertainment and tech sector is grappling with a shrinking local labor pool and the urgent need to bridge the digital divide in low-income communities. Industry leaders are urging the state to adopt differential tax incentives and expand public-private educational partnerships to secure a diverse talent pipeline and counter the rise of emerging gaming hubs in cities like Austin and Toronto. Without these strategic shifts to support infrastructure, curriculum reform, and cultural integration, the region risks ceding its leadership in the converging fields of visual effects, virtual reality, and esports to international markets.