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BAHRMI · Bay Area High Road Manufacturing Initiative
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Bay Area High Road Manufacturing Initiative Our Work Why Now Who We Are Get Involved News
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Bay Area High-Road Manufacturing Initiative
Build the Bay. Raise the bar. This is the future of manufacturing.

BAHRMI builds a high-road manufacturing ecosystem by uniting industry, workers, and community partners to transform how manufacturing investments and workforce resources are deployed, advancing job quality, equity, and climate action across the region.

Our Vision is a Bay Area where manufacturing drives climate resilience, economic justice, and worker power to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable regional economy for generations to come.

To learn more or work with us, sign up below, or connect on LinkedIn.

Our Approach

1

Industry Standards

We define and promote best practices for quality jobs, equity, and sustainability in manufacturing.

2

Direct Technical Assistance

We work hands-on with employers to implement high-road strategies, from hiring to upskilling.

3

Pilot Projects for Scale

We test innovative models with local companies, then expand what works across the region.

Our Work

Reports & Data

*new* UC Berkeley Labor Center: Making It in the Bay: Bay Area Manufacturing Labor Market Analysis (Sept 2026)

New Energy Nexus: How to Unlock Battery Manufacturing Growth: Employer Assessment Brief (Aug 2026)

PSE Healthy Energy: Environmental and Public Health Risks from Clean Energy Manufacturing (Aug 2026)

Pilot Projects

Contra Costa Pilot: High-Road Battery Innovation Hub strategy.

Manufacturing Futures: Building high-road career pathways in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Technical Assistance: Resources for employers applying for public funding.

Our Values

Creating Good Jobs Centering Worker Voice Advancing Equity Climate Resilience Environmental Justice

Why Now?

The Bay Area economy stands at a crossroads. For too long, we have been reactive, playing catch-up instead of setting standards and building for the future. It is time to become proactive to build the economy we want to see. We are shifting from a low-road, transactional model to a high-road, collaborative approach, the key to sustainable growth in our region’s manufacturing sector.

What does “High Road” mean?

A high-road approach involves a collective strategy to grow a sector as a race-to-the-top instead of a race-to-the-bottom. In a high-road approach, employers, workers, and communities work together to support business growth, quality jobs, equity, and environmental sustainability as integral and reinforcing goals. BAHRMI collaborates with employers who see quality jobs, environmental sustainability, and community prosperity as central to their success, and helps support them in achieving these outcomes.

The high-road approach delivers:

For Industry

  • A skilled, diverse workforce ready to meet evolving demands
  • Better retention, lower turnover, and higher productivity
  • Strong partnerships with community and education leaders
  • Regional solutions built alongside other manufacturing employers

For Communities

  • Manufacturing jobs that pay enough to support families and provide fair and equitable workplaces
  • Cleaner production and reduced environmental harm in the neighborhoods closest to industry
  • A just transition that grows good jobs here as the economy shifts
  • Employers accountable to community well-being, not just the bottom line

For Workers

  • Good wages, benefits, and working conditions
  • Training and skills development for the jobs of today and tomorrow
  • A voice on the job and a seat at the table as the economy changes
  • Employers accountable to community well-being, not just the bottom line

Who We Are

Core Partners:
Working Partnerships USA logo Working Partnerships USA
UCB Labor Center logo UCB Labor Center
BlueGreen Alliance logo BlueGreen Alliance
New Energy Nexus California logo New Energy Nexus California
California Labor Federation logo California Labor Federation
Steering Committee Supporters

Get Involved

Want to learn more, or connect with BAHRMI? Sign up below, or email us.

Resources & Media

BAHRMI 1-Pager
California High-Road Public Funding Resources Guide
California Green Economy Public Funding Tracker
Technical Assistance for Employers and Economic Developers
Manufacturing Futures: Career Concierge Flyer for Jobseekers
Manufacturing Futures: Información en Español
Bay Area Manufacturing Conference: Plenary Slides (Aug. 2026)
“Sparks Are Flying” Pilot Welding Course: Facebook Video
“Sparks Are Flying” Pilot Welding Course: Instagram Reel
Bay Area Jobs First: Catalyst Project Spotlight

BAHRMI · Bay Area High Road Manufacturing Initiative · 2026

WORKING PARTNERSHIPS USA
2302 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131
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