Newsom visits Medtronic in Irvine to spotlight 'Jobs First' plan, state investments in workforce and medtech

Governor Gavin Newsom visited Medtronic's neurovascular facility in Irvine on Thursday to promote the state’s Jobs First regional planning initiative and spotlight investments aimed at linking local employers, training programs and regional economic priorities.

Newsom framed the visit as part of a broader effort to pair economic growth with workforce preparation and called Jobs First a bottom‑up strategy that directs funding and technical support to 13 regional plans. "We created 13 regional plans," he said, describing the approach as designed to match each area's strengths and address persistent gaps.

The Jobs First process in Orange County was presented to the governor by local partners. Jeff Ball, president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, said the regional process contracted with 27 community organizations, convened a 70‑organization steering committee and gathered input from more than 5,000 respondents. "We contracted with 27 organizations, trusted messengers in our communities," Ball said, describing outreach in 11 languages and programs to align employer needs with…