Monterey County STEM Talent Expo

Monterey County STEM Talent Expo 2027

AI + Healthcare: Building the Future Workforce

Convened by the Hartnell College Foundation President's

STEM Task Force

Wednesday, March 17, 2027

1:00 – 4:00 PM

Hartnell College STEM Center Lobby

Join us for the Monterey County STEM Talent Expo, a free, one-day event designed to connect healthcare leaders, technology innovators, STEM employers, educators, and community partners with talented students, former students, and community members exploring careers and educational opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence, and healthcare.

Whether you're looking to launch your career, continue your education, or connect with local employers and industry leaders, this event is the perfect place to network, learn, and discover what's next.

MC Stem Talent Expo 2026 – Keynote Speaker

Josh Metz

Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART)

Josh Metz is the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) Initiative, where he works at the intersection of industry, education, government, and community-based organizations to unlock the economic and workforce potential of the emerging low-altitude economy. As an ecosystem catalyst, DART advances integrated strategies across workforce development, enabling infrastructure, and public policy to ensure the region is prepared for the next generation of aviation, automation, and robotics careers.

Under Josh’s leadership, the DART team has helped establish leading-edge training and career pathway programs in partnership with Joby Aviation, including the Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program (AMAP), which has resulted in more than 100 local hires with support from the James Irvine Foundation, and the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship (AMTA) pilot, currently underway with support from California Jobs First and the K–16 Collaborative. DART has also launched innovative early-career and CTE initiatives such as the RV-12 Airplane Build Pilot in collaboration with Pajaro Valley Unified School District, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the City of Watsonville, as well as small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) training programs with Hartnell College and UC Santa Cruz’s CITRIS Institute for Drone Education and Research, including the UCANR Drone Camp now entering its eighth year at CSUMB and UCMBEST.

Josh is deeply passionate about connecting young people to inspiring, future-relevant career pathways and ensuring that emerging technologies translate into inclusive opportunity for the communities of Monterey County and beyond.

Welcome to the Monterey County STEM Talent Expo 2027

Welcome to the Monterey County STEM Talent Expo 2027

Monterey County STEM Talent Expo 2027