Faces of Workforce

After 16 years in administration, Iris from El Cajon unexpectedly found a passion for SUD counseling. Discovering an apprenticeship program through SDWP, she jumped at the chance to enhance her education. Now registered with CADTP and preparing for her state exam, Iris is on the path to becoming a certified addiction counselor.

Samantha worked a series of minimum-wage jobs, including her role as a shift lead at Denny’s. For nearly two decades, she found herself trapped in a cycle of low-paying jobs with little opportunity for advancement. After being released from custody, Samantha was on probation, and her criminal record frequently hindered her ability to find meaningful employ.

After dedicating 11 years to care for her parents, Lorena was ready to reenter the workforce. But 10 days after her mother passed away, the January 2024 floods hit San Diego. To add to the chaos, Lorena also faced issues with unemployment. That’s when Lorena connected with the SDWP and its flood relief initiative. Now, Lorena is working part-time as a caregiver again.

Nine years ago, Denise Roberts found herself at a crossroads in her career. She was unemployed and struggling to navigate a job market that had changed drastically.

31-year-old Ismael Gutierrez was on the hunt for certifications in UX design. After discovering the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Front-end Development certificate and the Google UX Design certificate programs and reading the great reviews from other San Diegans who benefited from them, he knew it was the best place to increase his skills as a web developer.

Dawn Renae Rasmussen’s journey in healthcare administration has been one marked by dedication, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of growth. As she navigated through a changing industry, she found the need to take a step further in her career and enrolled in the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s (SDWP’s) Healthcare Administration Pathways program. Through the program, she began studying the healthcare revenue cycle through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.

After a long career in the title insurance industry, Barbara was faced with the harsh reality of job insecurity, shattering her retirement hopes. After being downsized several times and struggling to find stable employment, she contacted the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) and enrolled in the Older Adult Workforce program as part of the program’s first cohort. Barbara developed the tools she needed in the program to adjust to a changing workforce.

At just 19 years old, Summer’s workforce journey is just getting started. Born and raised in East Oakland, influenced by her mother’s strong work ethic and desire for independence, she began working at 16. With the help of different community organizations and nonprofits like the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), as a part of the Access to Career Pathways for Foster Youth program, she is offered a reliable support system while she navigates her career journey.

After almost seven years of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) after being diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD, Jennifer Smith found herself ready to test her resolve to head back into the workforce. Through the Ticket to Work program and with encouragement from her program specialist, Georgina Garcia, at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Jennifer developed the tools and fortitude to successfully restart her career in healthcare administration.

For Spencer Howe and John Hornbrook of MRIaudio, investing in their employees is part of their company’s ethos. With support from the California Manufacturing Technology Consulting and the Workforce Partnership, MRIaudio was able to provide Lean 6 Sigma Training to their staff at a fraction of the cost. Read on to learn how Incumbent Worker Training funds made this possible.