EA worked with the Columbia Willamette Workforce Collaborative (Worksystems, Inc., Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Workforce Southwest Washington) to conduct a comprehensive workforce market study of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR). EA led a multi-jurisdictional survey of current and upcoming projects for the Portland-Vancouver metro region and led interviews with over 25 governments to understand the workforce demand and goals for recruitment. Our work on the report led to the development of the IBR Program’s multi-year workforce strategy to support a diverse infrastructure workforce of women, BIPOC, and low-income workers in the bi-state region.

EA worked with child care advocates, women in trades, labor unions, parents, and providers impacted by America’s child care crisis to develop an employer toolkit to provide semiconductor manufacturers receiving CHIPS ACT subsidies with practical approaches to deliver on workforce and child care goals tied to commitments for federal investments. Our work resulted in hundreds of thousands of philanthropic dollars to support child care advocates in Oregon as they advocate for impactful childcare policies in the semiconductor industry

Estolano Advisors is the facilitator and strategic advisor for the Construction Career Pathways Project (C2P2) Public Owner Workgroup. The regional collaborative, convened by Metro, is working to increase participation of historically underrepresented groups in the construction trades. The goal of the project is to create a regional framework with a set of investment and implementation strategies to advance workforce equity and support people of color and women in construction careers.

In 2024 and 2025, we worked with subconsultant ICF to update and expand LA Metro’s 2019 Workforce Disparity Study. EA and ICF evaluated female participation in the regional workforce since 2019, estimated female construction worker availability through 2033, and forecasted Metro’s progress toward its goal of achieving 6.9% female participation in the workforce. Our firm also analyzed female participation in construction apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs over the past five years, identified barriers to female participation, and assessed how bid preference and cultural competency requirements could promote inclusive workplaces. Additionally, EA highlighted emerging practices for recruiting and retaining female construction workers and recommended comprehensive strategies for Metro and its public agency partners.

EA led the strategic planning process for the Inland Empire Labor Council (IELC), a coalition of unions and worker centers in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The strategic plan identified priorities and goals for the IELC to pursue over the next five years. EA facilitated discussions with an advisory committee, comprised of key IELC labor affiliates to inform the process. EA led external one-on-one interviews, deployed an affiliate survey, and engaged internal staff to inform goals and corresponding strategies and actions for the organizations. EA also designed a half day affiliates retreat with 40 local union and worker center leaders. EA summarized the findings and feedback into an ambitious strategic plan that was approved by IELC’s Executive Board in late summer 2024.

Our firm designed and managed the Biotech Leaders Academy, an innovative program that connects a diverse cohort of community college students to hands-on experiences with paid internships at local bioscience companies. As part of the program, our firm organized an entrepreneurship academy that helps students gain leadership skills and explore career pathways.

Our firm provided guidance for the workforce development component of Department of Community Service's Low Income Weatherization Program. Our tasks included developing a workforce development plan, hosting regular one-on-one consultations, and providing ongoing technical assistance to ensure tangible workforce development outcomes.

Our firm services as the facilitator and strategic advisor to the Improving the Effectiveness of PLAs project, an initiative of the San Francisco Foundation (SFF). SFF convened an advisory committee comprised of public agencies, labor unions, contractors, and community-based organizations tasked with discussing strategies for diversifying the construction workforce. EA produced a scan of nationwide best practices in PLAs, followed by interviews with local workers to better understand the barriers and opportunities to diversifying the construction workforce. EA also led the development of a construction demand and supply analysis, which provides information on East Bay’s current and future labor supply, including a 10-year forecast of public sector projects and related job opportunities. The advisory committee convened monthly to review and discuss project findings. The information was synthesized in final report that offers recommendations for actions that public agencies, unions, contractors, CBOs, educational institutions, and other community partners can take to build a diverse and sustainable pipeline of construction workers in the East Bay. Phase II of the project focuses on developing an action plan and reaching a set of commitments by public agencies and partners.